Germany Election
Leif-Erik Holm, the AfD's candidate for state premier in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, speaks at the campaign's closing rally in Neubrandenburg, Germany, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has faced a major electoral setback in two state elections including a historic defeat for his party. Projections Sunday night showed that Merz's Christian Democratic Union received just 4.9% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. That's the CDU's lowest result since World War II. The anti-migration Alternative for Germany or Afd party made significant gains. Merz acknowledged the result as a “disaster.” But he vowed to continue with potentially painful economic reforms. He emphasized the need for backbone and patience. Merz's authority was already weakened by a previous defeat to AfD in Saxony-Anhalt. Calls for his replacement have emerged. But he remains determined to finish his term.
