Merz reaches out to AfD voters before pivotal German regional election

In a strategic move ahead of the September regional election, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is urging supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to evaluate his government's performance based on its achievements. This outreach is crucial as the outcome could see the AfD gaining power at a regional level for the first time, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Germany. Merz's appeal highlights the importance of these elections in determining the future direction of German politics and the balance of power within the country.