Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces pressure after the far-right AfD party secured a lead in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while his own party suffered a historic low.
Key facts
- •Exit polls indicate the AfD received 37% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
- •The CDU's 5.5% result in the state is its lowest since World War II.
- •The AfD previously won a significant victory in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6.
- •Chancellor Merz has branded himself the 'reform chancellor' while pushing for pension and health-insurance changes.
- •In Berlin, the Left party is projected to finish first with 24.5% of the vote.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described the results of a regional election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a "disaster" following exit polls that placed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the lead. The AfD is projected to receive 37% of the vote, narrowly ahead of the Social Democratic Party at 35.5%. The result follows a significant victory for the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6.
By the numbers
Historic low for the CDU
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Merz, received only 5.5% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This represents the party's worst performance in any regional or national election since the end of World War II. In Berlin, the CDU is also trailing, projected to finish with 20% compared to the 24.5% support for the Left party (Die Linke).
Merz vows to continue reforms
Despite calls for a change in leadership, Merz has rejected speculation that he will step down. He remains committed to his reform agenda, which includes raising the retirement age, reducing certain health-insurance benefits, and tightening sick leave policies to stimulate economic growth. Merz stated that he intends to demonstrate "backbone, steadfastness, and patience" in his roles as chancellor and CDU chairman.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico Europe.
