Germany Elections
From right, Franziska Brantner, Federal Chair of Alliance 90/The Greens; Claudia Müller (Alliance 90/The Greens), the Greens' lead candidate in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and a member of the Bundestag; and Ole Krueger (Alliance 90/The Greens), state chair of Alliance 90/The Greens in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, react to the projections for the state election at their party's election party at the tisch coworking space, in Schwerin, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
As featured on
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.
