CDU to abstain by leaving hall in Saxony-Anhalt premier vote, signaling weakness

The CDU plans to leave the chamber during the vote for head of government in Saxony-Anhalt rather than vote against the AfD candidate, a move critics call an admission of weakness. The decision highlights internal party divisions over how to handle the AfD, even as the AfD's proximity to Putin fails to unify the CDU. This reflects broader German conservative strategy ahead of state elections.