German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the results of Sunday’s state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern as a “disaster” for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and pledged to remain in office despite the setback. Exit polls reported by the BBC and Reuters showed the far‑right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) leading in the northeast state of Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, while the left‑wing Die Linke was ahead in the capital city of Berlin. The CDU finished well behind both opponents, a defeat described by several outlets as the party’s worst regional showing in post‑war Germany.
Election outcomes overturn CDU dominance
In Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, the AfD’s surge was confirmed by exit‑poll data released shortly after the polls closed, indicating the party was on course to win the state government for the first time. According to the Guardian, the AfD’s victory marked a significant breakthrough for the far‑right in eastern Germany. In Berlin, Die Linke emerged as the front‑runner, positioning itself to potentially form a coalition that would exclude the CDU. The New York Times noted that the results represented a “historic defeat” for Merz’s centre‑right bloc, with the CDU slipping to third place in both contests.
Merz’s response and political implications
Despite the blow, Merz asserted his commitment to the chancellorship and to the reform programme his government has pursued since taking office.
"It is a disaster for the party, but I will stay on and push ahead with the reforms we have started," Merz said, according to the BBC.The statement was echoed across multiple sources, including the Financial Times, CNN and Al Jazeera, which reported that Merz emphasized the need for continuity and stability amid “turbulent” political currents.
The Chancellor’s remarks came as internal pressure mounted within the CDU, with senior figures reportedly questioning his leadership after the party’s loss of traditional strongholds. Reuters highlighted that the CDU’s share of the vote in the two states dropped to levels not seen since the early 1950s, a development the outlet described as “the worst state‑election result in post‑war Germany.”
Political analysts cited by the Economist and DW.com warned that the AfD’s win could embolden the party nationally, potentially reshaping the balance of power ahead of the next federal election. Meanwhile, Die Linke’s surge in Berlin was seen as a revival of left‑wing influence, a narrative reinforced by reports from France 24 and the New York Post, which noted the left’s ability to capture a major urban centre for the first time in decades.
Merz, who has faced criticism for his handling of economic and social reforms, reiterated his intention to stay the course. The New York Times reported that he framed the election setbacks as a “temporary” challenge, insisting that the CDU’s core policies on fiscal discipline, digitalisation and energy transition remain essential for Germany’s future. He also appealed to party members, stating that “the qualities needed for the job are still present” within the CDU, a phrasing attributed to DW News.
Opposition parties welcomed the results as a sign of shifting voter sentiment. AfD leaders celebrated the “historic” win in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, while Die Linke’s spokesperson hailed the Berlin outcome as “a mandate for progressive change.” Across the spectrum, observers noted that the elections underscored growing fragmentation in German politics, a trend that could complicate coalition building at both state and federal levels.
