https://www.reuters.com/world/merz-struggles-germanys-far-right-afd-goes-local-woo-voters-2026-05-20/

> "People have simply had enough. They want their old, safe Germany back," he told Reuters as supporters waited for selfies after an event in the town of Halberstadt last week.

> "There's a wonderful sense of a new beginning in the state. And that's exactly what we need."