German state leaders rally behind Friedrich Merz amid doubts over his future

Chancellor cancels plan to speak at the UN as far-right AfD target further gains in elections this weekend

Europe live – latest updates

Powerful German state leaders from Friedrich Merz’s party have rallied behind him as speculation builds that his days in office may be numbered.

The chancellor’s hold on power has looked increasingly shaky since a bombshell regional election result earlier this month in which the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party routed his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in Saxony-Anhalt.