Friedrich Merz has canceled his visit to the UN / The German chancellor remains in Berlin amid the political crisis

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has canceled his planned visit to the UN General Assembly in New York next week because his presence is considered necessary in Berlin, according to information obtained by the dpa news agency on Tuesday from government sources.

The decision comes at a difficult time for the head of the German government, following the poor result achieved by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the September 6 election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came close to an absolute majority, increasing pressure on the chancellor.

Merz faces two more electoral tests on Sunday, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and in the city-state of Berlin. Estimates point to a historic low for the CDU in the eastern state, while in Berlin the party is in a close race with Die Linke. The AfD is in third place, just behind.

The political crisis is aggravated by high gasoline prices and disputes with the Social Democrats, the junior coalition partner, over support for drivers facing financial hardship.