The German Merkel is weakened, says the long-time ally Schaeuble

MUNICH / BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel's political stance has suffered in recent months and the mediocre results of two upcoming national elections could lead to "bigger changes," her longtime conservative ally said Friday. Wolfgang Schaeuble.

Schaeuble, a former powerful finance minister who now heads the lower house of parliament, told SWR television channel that Merkel should be re-elected as the leader of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) at a party congress in December if she showed up – but did not rule out the possibility that she might not hold.

"She's not as unchallenged as she's been in the last three parliaments," Schaeuble said, adding that the regional elections in Bavaria and Hesse this month will inevitably affect her "reputation".

"We know that there are national elections ahead of us. The results are open. They can lead to bigger changes, "he said.

Merkel, who is in his fourth term, has been a popular and formidable leader for 13 years.

But support for its conservative bloc has diminished since it's decided in 2015 to open the doors to more than a million migrants, thus strengthening the far right and the world. obliging this year to form a frail and loveless national coalition with the Social Democrats.

The decision also fueled divisions with the Bavarian sister party of the CDU, the CSU, which risks Sunday its worst performance since the election of a state for more than 60 years, suffering as well as the CDU, the anti-immigrant alternative in full swing. Germany (AfD).

Polls suggest that the CSU will gain up to 35%, losing the absolute majority that allowed it to control Bavaria for most of the post-war period, while the AfD is expected to enter for the first time in the state assembly with 14% maximum.

The Munich-based manufacturer, MTU Aero Engines, sent employees an unusual message before the elections, urging them to vote "responsibly" and to avoid populism, in line with local directives issued by the law firm. EY advice.

While stressing that he was not demanding the support of any party, MTU said in a letter to its employees: "Germany, and especially a strategic sector like ours, is based on conditions stable policies. "

Reflecting tensions between conservatives, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz delivered the speech at the CSU's last rally in Munich, a place traditionally reserved for the leader of the CDU.

The fourth and possibly last Merkel government nearly collapsed twice – against immigration and the scandal of the former German spy master – and a debate over the phasing out of polluting diesel cars may overflow.

The polls also suggest that the CDU will suffer heavy losses in the state of Hesse on 28 October.