German regional elections deepen pressure on Chancellor Merz

Berlin, Germany. Elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania dealt severe losses to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats, while the far-right Alternative fuer Deutschland made significant gains.

Setback for Christian Democrats

The results marked a major setback for Merz and his CDU party, whose voters have moved to the AfD amid doubts over his ability to revive Germany’s economy and reduce living costs.

Merz, 70, has the lowest approval ratings of any German chancellor since records began. He described the outcome as a “disaster” and faces calls to resign less than 17 months after taking office.

Although Merz said he would remain in office and continue his reform agenda, the results raised questions about his position within the CDU. The party’s performance in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was its worst in a state election since 1949.

AfD gains

The AfD gained substantially in both states and became the strongest party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, more than doubling its 2021 result.

It was the second time in two weeks that the AfD won the largest share of votes in a German state election, following its victory in Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month. The result strengthened the party’s momentum before federal elections due in 2029.

The AfD, which leads nationwide polls with 29%, has attracted support through pledges to deport foreigners without the right to remain in Germany, return to cheap Russian energy and promote conservative values centred on the traditional family model.

Coalition prospects and European implications

Other major parties continue to reject coalitions with the AfD under a “firewall” strategy, making it unlikely that the party will govern in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania or Berlin, where it finished third.

Merz’s weakened position as leader of the European Union’s largest and most powerful member could undermine unity in the bloc, where far-right parties continue to gain ground, relations with the United States have cooled and economic pressures have intensified.