Following the AfD’s recent election victory in Saxony-Anhalt, Chancellor Merz has reportedly threatened the possibility of federal coercion should an AfD-led government take power. This measure, known as *Bundeszwang*, has never been implemented in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. The legal basis for such a step allows the federal government to intervene in a state if the state government violates the constitution or federal law. Merz’s threat indicates a concern over potential constitutional breaches by a future Saxony-Anhalt government. The circumstances under which Merz might pursue this extreme course of action are currently under scrutiny. Experts are analyzing the legal framework to understand the precise triggers and procedures involved in enacting federal coercion. This represents a significant escalation and a novel application of constitutional mechanisms.