As regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia approach, political tensions are rising in Germany.

Hamburg's Justice Senator Anna Gallina has called on all democrats to unite against fascism, criticizing CDU leader Friedrich Merz for engaging in populism instead.

Merz, on the other hand, has firmly rejected any collaboration with the far-right AfD, stating it would "destroy the CDU.

" Recent polls show the CDU leading in Saxony with 33%, closely followed by the AfD at 30%.

In Thuringia, the AfD leads with 30%, while the CDU trails at 21%.

The political landscape is further complicated by the potential involvement of the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), which Merz has not ruled out as a coalition partner, despite his criticisms of their leader's stance on national issues.