German Chancellor Merz calls state election a 'disaster' for his party but vows to stay on
News Source
β’Sun, 20 Sep 2026 19:21:28 GMT
π° What Happened
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called local election results a "disaster" for his party. Exit polls showed big losses for his centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the CDU was set to barely win seats, its worst result ever. The far-right AfD looked likely to win the most votes there.
In Berlin, the CDU was expected to lose to Die Linke. Merz said he would stay on and push ahead with economic, tax and welfare reforms.
π The Backstory
The votes came two weeks after the AfD won a major victory in Saxony-Anhalt. There, the CDU's support was cut in half.
Merz has low approval ratings, and some people talk about replacing him mid-term. He said the country needs backbone, steadfastness and patience.
He called his reforms an antidote to the growing pull of authoritarian politics.
π― Why It Matters
Germany is Europe's biggest economy, so its politics affect trade and jobs across the region. Rising far-right support is changing debate in many countries.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called local election results a "disaster" for his party. Exit polls showed big losses for his centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the CDU was set to barely win seats, its worst result ever. The far-right AfD looked likely to win the most votes there.
In Berlin, the CDU was expected to lose to Die Linke. Merz said he would stay on and push ahead with economic, tax and welfare reforms.
The votes came two weeks after the AfD won a major victory in Saxony-Anhalt. There, the CDU's support was cut in half.
Merz has low approval ratings, and some people talk about replacing him mid-term. He said the country needs backbone, steadfastness and patience.
He called his reforms an antidote to the growing pull of authoritarian politics.
Germany is Europe's biggest economy, so its politics affect trade and jobs across the region. Rising far-right support is changing debate in many countries.