Merz Calls German State Elections a 'Disaster' For His Party

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would remain in office after exit polls pointed to setbacks for his centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in two state elections.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Deal Blow To CDU

In the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, initial projections suggested the CDU would barely clear the 5% threshold needed to stay in parliament, with its result expected to be the party’s worst ever. Hours later, the party’s standing slipped below that level.

Merz described the outcome as a disaster for the CDU, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was on track to take the largest share of votes. Even if the AfD tops the poll, it is unlikely to form a government at state level because other parties have said they will not cooperate with it.

For Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, public broadcasters ZDF and ARD put the AfD slightly ahead. They forecast the AfD at 38% and the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) at 36%.

Berlin results Expected To Swing Against CDU

In Berlin, the CDU was also expected to be defeated. Die Linke (The Left) was forecast to win nearly 26%, a result described in reporting as a first time it has led in the capital. When polls closed, the CDU was projected at 20%, while the AfD was expected to raise its vote share, with a forecast of 16%.

Votes were held on Sunday, two weeks after the CDU’s support fell sharply in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD secured a major victory and halved the CDU’s vote.

Merz is facing growing pressure amid weak approval ratings and renewed speculation that he could be replaced before the end of the term in a possible “chancellor swap”.

On Sunday, according to earlier reporting, polls for both states closed at 18:00 local time (17:00 BST), with final results expected later on Sunday night or into Monday morning.

Merz Under Pressure, But Insists Reforms Will Proceed

Speaking at the CDU’s election night headquarters in Berlin as projected figures appeared, Merz said the reform programme of his coalition government must go ahead. He said he would continue pursuing a package of changes covering economic policy, taxation and welfare, framing the effort as necessary to move Germany forward.

He also told reporters that the next steps required steadiness and patience, and that he would carry the responsibility as CDU chair and as chancellor. He argued the reforms were needed to counter what he described as authoritarian tendencies developing in society.

At the same event, the tone from the party gathered showed little celebration as projections deteriorated for the CDU. Merz’s backers have stressed that many national problems are inherited, but opponents and critics have pointed to his low popularity.

Supporters have continued to rally around him, including earlier this week when leaders of eight German states backed Merz. CDU politician Burkard Dregger, speaking to the BBC on Sunday, said it was right for Merz to stay in place, arguing there was not enough time to form a new federal government.

With the projected results worsening, the next round of numbers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin is expected to determine how much the CDU’s position has been weakened in both states.

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21 September 2026