# Merz vows to stay as German CDU reels from far-right losses

> Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will keep his coalition together after his conservative party suffered defeats in two state elections to the far-right AfD.
- Title: Merz vows to stay as German CDU reels from far-right losses
- Summary: Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will keep his coalition together after his conservative party suffered defeats in two state elections to the far-right AfD…
- Keywords: friedrich merz, cdu, alternative für deutschland, germany, state elections, mecklenburg-western pomerania, berlin, coalition government, far right, news, world, Merz
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/21/germany-chancellor-freidrich-merz-cdu-christian-democratic-union-state-election-defeats-mecklenburg-western-pomerania-berlin
- Published: 2026-09-21T15:38:22+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: friedrich merz, cdu, alternative für deutschland, germany, state elections, mecklenburg-western pomerania, berlin, coalition government, far right, news, world
## Merz pledges to hold coalition together
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed on Monday to keep his fractious coalition government intact, saying it was vital for the country's democratic future despite mounting pressure.

> We are determined to live up to the historic responsibilities our country is facing.
## AfD wins Mecklenburg state election
On Sunday the far-right Alternative für Deutschland secured thirty-eight percent in the coastal northern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, its third state victory, with leaders predicting Merz's imminent departure.

> The chancellor certainly won't make it to the end of the year.
## CDU ejected from state parliament
Merz called the results a disaster, particularly the CDU's failure to reach the five percent barrier in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, losing more than half its voters to the AfD and Social Democrats.

> Merz described the results as a "disaster".
## CDU falls to second in Berlin
In Berlin on Sunday the CDU fell to second place behind the far-left Linke party, which is on track to lead the next government and could give Berlin its first Turkish-born mayor in Elif Eralp.
## Merz denies personal responsibility
On Monday Merz dismissed the idea that the outcome was a personal rebuke, saying the results reflected a profound transformation of Germany's political party system rather than a judgment on his leadership.

> The reasons for these election results go far beyond my own person.
## CDU deputy defends reform agenda
Karin Prien, the CDU's deputy leader and education minister, acknowledged the government was failing to address voters' fears but said reforms were necessary and the chancellor must improve how he communicates with people.

> Not everything can remain as it is.
## SPD coalition partner demands changes
SPD leaders said they remained confident in their coalition with the CDU but insisted changes to the government's agenda were necessary, with finance minister Lars Klingbeil saying ignoring voter concerns would not work.

> Saying we will ignore what the voters said to us in three state polls won't work.
## Kremlin weighs in on German election
The Kremlin on Monday waded into the election analysis, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling the AfD's win in Mecklenburg a natural response to Berlin's refusal to buy cheap Russian gas, which has jolted the economy.

> Germans, or at least some of them, are looking for an alternative to the current authorities.
## Merz faces uncertain future
Although CDU regional leaders backed Merz last week, questions remain about how sustained their support will be, with few candidates willing to take a post increasingly viewed as a poisoned chalice.
## Key takeaway

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to stay in office after his CDU party lost two state elections to the far-right AfD, which is now predicting his departure within months.