Key facts
- The CDU suffered its worst-ever state election result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, securing 4.9% of the vote.
- The far-right AfD won the state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 38% of the vote.
- In Berlin, the CDU is expected to lose its position in city hall after a defeat to the Linke party.
- The CDU also experienced a significant loss in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks prior, scoring 17% to the AfD's 44%.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is facing mounting pressure after his party suffered significant defeats in recent German state elections. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU recorded its worst-ever result, securing only 4.9% of the vote and failing to enter the regional parliament for the first time in postwar history. The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) emerged as the winner in that state with 38% of the vote, marking its third state election victory.
In Berlin, the CDU also experienced a stinging defeat, which is expected to result in the party vacating city hall once coalition negotiations conclude. These losses follow a historic rout in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks prior, where the CDU garnered just 17% compared to the AfD's nearly 44%.
Despite Merz's pledge to remain in his post and champion his economic recovery program, his leadership is being questioned due to dire approval ratings and the momentum of the far-right. Local media reported objections to Merz's planned defiant speech, with some suggesting it ignored voters' clear message. Merz has cancelled a planned trip to New York to address the aftermath of the elections in Berlin.