PoliticsMerz insists he will remain German chancellor after state-election losses

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will stay in office despite the CDU’s severe setbacks in two regional elections. The party won only 4.9% in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, failing to enter a state parliament for the first time in 77 years, after taking 17% in Saxony-Anhalt against the AfD’s nearly 44%. Pressure within the CDU and talk of replacing Merz have intensified.

German politicsstate electionsCDUFriedrich Merz

TThe Guardian★★★★☆2026-09-21 08:49Original