German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing pressure over his leadership after the CDU party suffered heavy losses in two regional elections. The party failed to enter a state parliament in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the home state of former CDU chancellor Angela Merkel, for the first time in 77 years.
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the CDU secured just 4.9% of the vote, losing more than half of its previous support. Many voters reportedly moved to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which gained 38% of the vote, doubling its share and becoming the largest party in the state. This follows the AfD achieving a majority in Saxony-Anhalt a fortnight prior.
Merz described the results as a “disaster” in a public address but vowed to continue with his government’s reforms. Education Minister Karin Prien, a deputy CDU leader, stated on Phoenix television that she does not believe a change in leadership would bring about change, suggesting the focus should be on gaining more acceptance and credibility.