Merz calls results a disaster

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union fell short of the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, posting its worst-ever result in the state.

AfD surges while others block it

The far-right Alternative for Germany won the most votes in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with 38%, but other parties refuse to form a coalition with it, preventing it from governing.

Berlin swings left against Merz

In Berlin, the ruling CDU was beaten by Die Linke (The Left), which topped polls in the capital for the first time ever with nearly 26% of the vote.

Merz refuses to step down

Despite months of poor approval ratings and rumours of a mid-term chancellor swap, Merz declared he would stay on and push through economic, tax and welfare reforms.

“The reforms have to come. I am taking on this responsibility, because I want to move our country forward.”

AfD leader predicts his exit

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel told the BBC that Merz would leave office soon, claiming the AfD has become the mainstream force in German politics.

“Pretty soon, he's going to leave.”

Supporters back Merz's continuity

CDU officials argue Merz needs time to implement reforms and that replacing him would waste time forming a new government. Eight German state leaders backed him earlier this week.

“He has got four years and we have to give him the four years.”

Rightward shift backfires

Merz's move to the right on immigration has failed to win over AfD voters while alienating left-leaning supporters, leaving him squeezed from both sides.