{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreifloepniabhxpa6hmnsgll3vabjn4qgvxnteubafreg65lryiyqfm",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ypiebsx75hlnecumpsz6xr3g/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfdk7asuljh2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreievmze6n3w2eoharpwuzh6qhdcfebx2xdki2uecmbs2zs55tbexly"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 80917
  },
  "path": "/articles/news/one-year-on-merz-faces-restless-cdu-and-rising-afd/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-20T17:12:08.000Z",
  "site": "https://europeanconservative.com",
  "tags": [
    "NEWS",
    "CDU",
    "Coalition government",
    "compromises",
    "defense spending",
    "Friedrich Merz",
    "German economy",
    "Party Congress",
    "SPD",
    "Ukraine"
  ],
  "textContent": "Excuses for failure: at the CDU’s national party congress, Friedrich Merz defended his record, his debt U-turn, and his refusal to cooperate with the AfD.",
  "title": "One Year On, Merz Faces Restless CDU and Rising AfD"
}