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

https://mins.news/en/item/66483

- The Guardian, 2026-09-20 18:33 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/20/friedrich-merz-chancellor-germany-state-elections-cdu-afd-linke-berlin

> 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.

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