German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced a significant defeat in two state elections on Sunday, with his party suffering historic losses, but he remained committed to pushing forward with potentially challenging reforms for Germany’s economy. According to exit polls from public broadcaster ARD, Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) secured only five percent of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, marking the party’s worst performance in any state since World War II. Meanwhile, the anti-migration and Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made notable gains in the elections.
Acknowledging the outcome as a “disaster,” Merz vowed to stay resolute and dismissed any idea of backing down from the government’s reform plans. He emphasized that the country’s economic and political challenges necessitated tough and possibly unpopular reforms, which he pledged to push through with determination. In Berlin, the CDU was projected to come in second at 20 percent, trailing behind the Left party at 24.5 percent based on ARD’s exit poll.
Merz’s leadership has been under scrutiny following the CDU’s defeat to AfD in the Saxony-Anhalt election earlier in September. This setback raised concerns about the resurgence of nationalism and racial superiority ideologies in Germany, despite efforts to confront the country’s dark past. Merz, who assumed office 16 months ago with promises to revitalize the stagnant economy, has struggled to uplift the nation’s spirits and has seen a decline in his popularity.
The strong performance of AfD in the Saxony-Anhalt election, where it could potentially form the first far-right regional government in post-war Germany, has further eroded Merz’s position nationally. While there have been internal calls for his replacement, no high-profile allies have publicly demanded his resignation, cautioning against internal conflicts. In light of the challenging political climate, Merz canceled a planned trip to the UN General Assembly in New York, reiterating his determination to see out his term as chancellor despite the mounting pressures.