Merkle has taken the CDU/CSU well to the left. Sort of like the Democratic party that left its backers in the US.
Where do the voters go? A lot are finding the, more and more conservative, message of the AfD to their liking.
Just like in the US where the “Tea Party” was constantly maligned by the MSM, the same is true in Germany for any that don't hue to the main MSM party line.
Germans are beginning to see through the BS news being offered up to them. Much to the surprise of the MSM. Does this sound familiar? My take is Germans want change. Real change to the real problems that affect them. The old ways aren't working and the political elite is just hoping that they can get by.
Just as both parties in the US have gone to the left, the Republicans only somewhat less so than the Dems.
The Greens are an international party. How are they even permitted in US elections?
Same with Communist Party USA. Thry are alligned with foreign groups. How do you keep the rest of The Party from influencing campaigns especially online?
So much for collusion being verbotten.