German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to remain in office and pursue urgent reforms following his conservative party's crushing defeat in state elections.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz lashed out at the far-right AfD in the Bundestag, accusing the party of seeking ethnic cleansing through its mass deportation policies following a regional election.

The AfD reelected Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as party leaders during a national convention in Erfurt, which was met with mass protests and civil unrest.

The AfD held a two-day national conference in Erfurt where delegates re-elected party leaders amid large-scale protests against their policy agenda.

The Alternative for Germany held its national convention under heavy security as thousands of demonstrators attempted to block access to the venue. The event underscores rising tensions ahead of critical state elections where the party currently leads in the polls.