German elections test chancellor today

Voters in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern head to polls on Sunday in elections that could force out Chancellor Friedrich Merz after just 16 months in power.

CDU faces damaging defeats

Polls show Merz's Christian Democratic Union at risk of losing power in Berlin and potentially recording its worst-ever result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where it hovers just above the 5% threshold needed for parliament.

AfD surge follows recent victory

The far-right Alternative for Germany won a major victory in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks ago while the CDU's vote halved, and the AfD is now hoping to top polls in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Merz's strategy has backfired

The chancellor moved right on immigration to counter the AfD but failed to stop their rise while alienating left-leaning voters. His blunt style, including dismissing work-life balance, has also hurt his popularity.

“He is arrogant, out of touch, not on the same level as the general public.”

Party insiders question his future

While no CDU member has openly challenged Merz, discontent is growing. Martin Rohloff, a CDU candidate, said the chancellor lacks the feeling for ordinary people and suggested he should step down.

“If I have to answer yes or no, I would say yes. There are other people who maybe have better feelings for the public.”

Merz vows to stay and deliver

The chancellor says he will carry on and push through economic, tax and welfare reforms due before parliament this autumn. He has cancelled a planned trip to New York to manage the political crisis.

Supporters cite inherited problems

Merz's backers argue he has faced tough global conditions and inherited serious economic and energy challenges that are not his fault, and that he needs time to fix them.

His fall could destabilize Europe

Merz is a strong supporter of Ukraine. His removal would trigger further instability in a continent already facing warnings of increased Russian aggression.