German Chancellor Merz clings on after ‘disaster’ in state elections
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing a political crisis following a historic defeat for his CDU party in regional elections. Despite calls for change, Merz intends to continue his reform agenda, though he faces pushback from coalition partners and internal pressure.
Why it matters
The rise of the far-right AfD and the weakening of the ruling coalition signal significant instability in Europe's largest economy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was clinging to power on Monday (September 21, 2026) after his conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered its worst regional election defeat in post-War Germany, and members of his coalition clashed over his unpopular reform agenda.
Mr. Merz himself described the loss on Sunday (September 20, 2026) in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a “disaster”, as his party missed the 5% threshold for entering a state parliament for the first time.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came first. While it fell well short of a majority, it was the second time within a month that the party had topped a state election, which it sees as building momentum towards national power.
Also covering this story
7 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Germany's Merz vows to press ahead with reforms after historic state election defeat
Future of German chancellor hangs in the balance as two states go to polls
Merz to press ahead with reforms after German state election defeat
AfD tops another German state poll, Merz’s CDU crashes to historic low
German elections under way which could decide fate of Chancellor Merz
Merz vows to stay on as chancellor despite ‘disaster’ in another German regional vote
Merz under pressure as two more German states go to the polls
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