German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled a scheduled phone call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, hours after Trump praised the Alternative for Germany party's victory in a local election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, without announcing a reason for the cancellation or setting a new date for the call.
Reason for cancellation undisclosed
A spokesman for Merz declined to explain the reason for cancelling the call but confirmed, in response to journalists' questions, that the decision was not related to a scheduling conflict. He added that no new date had yet been set for the call between Merz and Trump.
The spokesman did not directly comment on Trump's remarks but said the chancellor had repeatedly objected, in general terms, to interference in or commentary on domestic politics, particularly elections.
Trump praises party's result
Trump described the Alternative for Germany party's result as “a really big night” in a post on his Truth Social platform late Tuesday. The US president linked the result to Germany's immigration rules and ended his post with the letters “MGGA,” apparently echoing his campaign slogan “MAGA” and referring to the phrase “Make Germany Great Again.”
A really big night
Figures close to Trump also welcomed the party's result, including a former US ambassador to Germany and billionaire Elon Musk, who has supported the Alternative for Germany for years, including during his time in the Trump administration.
