German Chancellor Merz says he will remain in office and push reforms after CDU setbacks in state votes
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Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to stay on and continue his reform agenda despite the Christian Democratic Union’s poor results in recent state elections, while the far-right Alternative for Germany made gains.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced he will remain in office and continue pursuing his government’s reform program after the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered poor showings in two state elections on Sunday. Exit polls from public broadcaster ARD showed the CDU receiving about 5% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, its lowest share in any state since World War II, while the Alternative for Germany (AfD) increased its support.
Merz described the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania result as a “disaster” but said the outcome reinforces the need for “backbone, steadfastness and patience” in implementing reforms he says are essential to address Germany’s economic and political challenges. In Berlin, the CDU is projected to finish second with roughly 20% of the vote, behind the Left party at 24.5%.
The party’s earlier defeat to the AfD in the Saxony-Anhalt election had already raised questions about Merz’s leadership, and some party members have privately called for a change in leadership, though no senior officials have publicly demanded his resignation. Merz cancelled a planned trip to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, indicating he expects a demanding post-election period but remains committed to completing his term.