Merkel Just Gave Her Party Chief a Lesson in Crisis Management

Chancellor steps in as German far-right crisis risks spiraling
Eastern regional premier quits after days of political turmoil

Angela Merkel draws the curtains at the Chancellery before the start of a coalition committee on Feb. 8.Photographer: Paul Zinken/picture alliance via Getty Images

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By Arne Delfs

February 8, 2020 at 12:01 PM UTC

Updated on

February 8, 2020 at 5:42 PM UTC

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Chancellor Angela Merkel stepped in to halt a government crisis over her party’s flirt with the far right in eastern Germany, defusing one threat to her political legacy while potentially setting the stage for the next.

Under fire from the governing coalition in Berlin, the premier of the eastern state of Thuringia limited the immediate fallout by resigning on Saturday. His election with the votes of Merkel’s party and the nationalist Alternative for Germany had set off the political firestorm.