# Germany's Merz vows to stay course despite election defeats

> Chancellor Merz pledges to remain in office after historic CDU losses in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania elections.
- Title: Germany's Merz vows to stay course despite election defeats
- Summary: Chancellor Merz pledges to remain in office after historic CDU losses in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania elections. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich…
- Keywords: germany, chancellor, friedrich merz, cdu, afd, die linke, elections, mecklenburg-western pomerania, berlin, political fragmentation, election results, news
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/21/germanys-merz-vows-to-stay-course-despite-new-election-defeats/235934
- Published: 2026-09-21T09:52:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: germany, chancellor, friedrich merz, cdu, afd, die linke, elections, mecklenburg-western pomerania, berlin, political fragmentation, election results, news
## Election results
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to stay in office despite historic CDU losses in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania elections.
## CDU's historic losses
CDU failed to secure parliamentary seats in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and scored 19 percent in Berlin.
## AfD gains
AfD achieved narrow lead of 37 percent in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania against 35 percent for SPD.
## Die Linke victory
Die Linke party won Berlin with 25 percent against CDU's 19 percent.
## Merz's response
Merz vowed to stay the course despite low approval ratings and internal party pressure.
## Merz's commitment
Merz committed to pursuing reforms to gain voter trust and address political fragmentation in Germany.
## Political context
Merz acknowledged trust in institutions is waning and being undermined by radical parties on both left and right.
## Economist analysis
ING economist Carsten Brzeski called Merz's address an attempt to choke off resignation speculation.
## AfD's claim
AfD national co-leader Alice Weidel called the party the strongest force reaching mainstream population.

> We are the strongest force and have reached the mainstream of the population
## Voter sentiment
Berlin voter Moritz Lembke-Oezer hoped CDU would be punished and Merz would leave office.
## Merz's challenges
Merz faces low approval ratings and struggles to push through economic reforms with coalition partners.
## Political fragmentation
Elections highlight increasing political fragmentation with right-wing and left-wing populist parties gaining ground.
## Key takeaway

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to stay in office despite CDU's historic election defeats in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to the far-right AfD and far-left Die Linke parties.