PoliticsFriedrich Merz vows to stay after CDU ‘disaster’ in German state elections

Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will remain in office and as CDU leader after heavy conservative losses in two German state elections. The far-right, anti-immigration AfD came first in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with nearly 38%, while the leftwing Linke was on course to lead in Berlin. Merz called the CDU result a “disaster” but pledged to continue reforms.

German politicsstate electionsAfDFriedrich Merz

TThe Guardian★★★★☆2026-09-20 18:33Original