German Chancellor Merz calls state election a ‘disaster’ for his party but vows to stay on
German Chancellor Merz Calls State Election a Disaster
Ninoda.com – German Chancellor Merz calls state election results a serious setback for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU), but Friedrich Merz has insisted he will remain in office and continue his government’s reform agenda. Exit-poll projections from votes in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern brought fresh pressure on the chancellor after recent losses for his party.
The elections took place two weeks after CDU support was cut in half in Saxony-Anhalt, where Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a major victory. Speaking after the polls closed, Merz said the CDU and its coalition would press ahead rather than change leadership.
The reforms have to come.
CDU faces difficult results in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, projections put the CDU on 5%, only narrowly above the threshold for entering the state parliament. AfD was projected to lead with 38%, followed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) on 36%.
Although AfD was expected to finish first, it was not expected to form the next state government because other major parties have ruled out working with it. Its performance nevertheless adds to the pressure on Germany’s established parties, particularly in regions where AfD support has continued to grow.
In Berlin, the CDU was projected to receive 20% of the vote, behind Die Linke, or The Left, on almost 26%. The figures created a subdued mood at the CDU’s election-night gathering and reinforced concerns about the party’s position in both urban and eastern German politics.
Merz rejects calls to step aside
German Chancellor Merz calls state election losses damaging, yet he has dismissed suggestions that he should resign or be replaced before the end of the parliamentary term. He has been chancellor for 16 months and argues that the government needs time to deliver on economic, tax and welfare reforms.
I am taking on this responsibility, because I want to move our country forward.
Merz’s supporters say it would be counterproductive to force a federal reset after every regional defeat. Earlier in the week, the leaders of eight German states publicly backed him, while Burkard Dregger of Berlin’s Senate said the chancellor should be given the full four years available to him.
What needs to be done now requires backbone, steadfastness and patience.
Merz has linked his reform programme to his wider concern about the rise of authoritarian politics. He argues that economic and social changes are needed to rebuild public confidence and reduce the appeal of parties that challenge the political mainstream.
Why the state election matters nationally
German Chancellor Merz calls state election outcomes a warning for the CDU because regional contests are closely watched as indicators of national political momentum. They do not directly determine who governs at federal level, but poor results can weaken a chancellor’s standing within their party and strengthen opposition voices.
The CDU now faces pressure from several directions: AfD is attracting voters on the right, while left-wing parties are gaining support in major cities. Merz’s tougher approach to immigration has not stopped AfD’s rise and has also unsettled some voters and opponents on the left.
Final results were expected later on Sunday or on Monday morning. Whatever the confirmed figures show, the elections leave Merz facing a difficult task: restoring support for the CDU while maintaining confidence in his coalition and reform plans.
FAQ: What do these German state election results mean?
Do state elections decide who is German chancellor? No. State elections choose regional parliaments and governments. However, they can influence national politics by showing shifts in voter support and increasing pressure on federal leaders.
Can AfD govern if it wins the most votes? Not necessarily. A party needs partners or enough seats to form a governing majority. Other major German parties have ruled out cooperation with AfD in this case.
Why is the CDU result important for Merz? The losses raise questions about the CDU’s appeal and add political pressure on Merz, even though he has said he intends to stay on as party leader and chancellor.