Two senior officials have been ousted: Merkel tries to save the government after the far-right storm

The Social Democrats, members of the coalition, demanded the resignation of a minister who congratulated the Thuringia Prime Minister, who won his post thanks to the support of the extreme right and conservatives. Although he and another senior are leaving office, Merkel's heiress seems "helpless" in the aftermath of the taboo crisis

Two senior officials have been ousted: Merkel tries to save the government after the far-right storm

German Chancellor Angela Merkel succeeded on Saturday in surviving her fragile coalition with the resignation of two government officials, including a minister, who supported the Thuringia provincial state leader who took office thanks to the far-right support.

Thomas Camrich's surprising election with the help of Alternatives to Germany (AfD) on Wednesday shattered political taboos in Germany, with the establishment parties refraining from cooperating with the anti-Muslim party against immigration and some of its members expressed anti-Semitism.

On Saturday, Merkel actually fired Christian Hirt, the East German government commissioner after greeting Camrich, who resigned. I announce my resignation from Thuringia immediately, "said Kamrich, a representative of the pro-business" Free Democrats, "one of the smallest parties in Germany.

Merkel said at a press conference in South Africa on Thursday that the result of the Thuringia elections was "unforgivable" and called for their cancellation. Camrich is supported by members of the Merkel Conservative Party (CDU) regional faction. This is while Merkel is having trouble keeping her coalition together, which also includes the Social Democrats (SPD).

Despite criticism: The German head of the far-right province is back on his resignation

German Chancellor Angela Merkel Leaves Consulate After Crisis Meeting Supported by Right-wing Alternative for Germany and Christian Democratic Union, Berlin, February 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

The German media reported that the SPD demanded Camrich's resignation as a condition of staying in government, which met on Saturday in Berlin. After the meeting, the coalition partners called for a new vote in Thuringia.

"For political legitimacy, the coalition partners are convinced that regardless of the election of a new prime minister, new elections must be held in Thuringia," said a joint statement, which also included the third party, the Bavarian Conservative Party (CSU), a CDU sister party. Like Merkel, a statement said Camrich's choice was "unforgivable."

Camrich won the role after overthrowing the reigning Thuringia Prime Minister Bodo Ramlo of the extreme "Left" party over Cole's head.

On Friday, conservative leader in eastern Germany Mike Mohring said he would resign in May after ignoring the call not to vote alongside members of the "Alternative to Germany."

Heiress "helpless"

The fiasco in Thuringia further challenges Angert Kramp-Kernbauer, the leader of the conservative party considered Merkel's successor. However, she has had trouble establishing her rule since replacing Merkel in 2018.

"She seems helpless," reads a poignant interpretation of "The Child," the most widely used newspaper in Germany. Her chances of replacing Merkel as chancellor with her final term in 2021 "depend on braking," it said.

The move by conservatives in Thuringia was also surprising in light of the fact that Merkel is the central target of the AfD, for bringing more than a million asylum seekers to Germany between 2015 and 2016. In addition, Thuringia is the country in which Adolf Hitler grew, after his party formed an alliance with the Conservatives.