German Chancellor Merz Vows to Stay After CDU Suffers Historic Election Defeats

Merz Calls Result a Disaster

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to remain in office and continue his government’s reform programme after his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered major defeats in two state elections. Merz described the result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a “disaster” but rejected speculation that he could be forced out as chancellor or CDU leader.

CDU Falls Out of State Parliament

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU received about 4.9% of the vote, falling below the 5% threshold required to win seats in the state parliament. It marked the party’s worst result in a state election in the post-war period and means the CDU has been excluded from the state parliament for the first time since the Federal Republic was established.

AfD Wins in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as the strongest party in the northeastern state, taking about 38% of the vote, ahead of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), which received around 35.5%. Other parties have ruled out working with the AfD, meaning its strong result does not automatically translate into control of the state government.

Die Linke Leads in Berlin

Berlin produced another setback for Merz’s CDU, with Die Linke finishing first on 25.7%, ahead of the CDU on 18.8%. The AfD came third with 16.3%, while the SPD recorded about 12.1%, its weakest result in a Berlin state election. Die Linke will still need coalition partners to form a government in the capital.

Merz Rejects Calls to Step Down

Speaking at CDU headquarters in Berlin after the results, Merz insisted he would continue as both party leader and chancellor. He said Germany needed “backbone, steadfastness and patience” and argued that the election setbacks made his government’s planned reforms more urgent rather than less necessary.

Economic and Welfare Reforms

Merz has pledged to push ahead with reforms covering areas including taxation, welfare, pensions and the wider German economy. He said he was taking responsibility because he wanted to move Germany forward and described the reforms as necessary to address the country’s political and economic challenges.

Pressure From the AfD

AfD leaders used the election results to increase pressure on Merz. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel suggested that his departure could come soon, while fellow party leader Tino Chrupalla called on the chancellor to resign following the CDU’s poor performance. The AfD has gained support in several eastern German states, where migration, economic concerns and dissatisfaction with established parties have become important political issues.

Growing Pressure Within the CDU

The results come after another major setback for the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier, where the AfD recorded a significant victory. Merz, who has been chancellor for 16 months, has faced continued pressure over low approval ratings and concerns about the government’s ability to deliver its economic programme.

Supporters Defend Merz

Some CDU politicians have publicly backed Merz and argued that changing chancellor would create further instability. Berlin CDU politician Burkard Dregger said Merz had substantial work ahead and that Germany could not afford to spend time forming a new federal government. He argued that voters should allow the government more time to deliver its programme.

Political Future Remains Uncertain

Despite Merz’s determination to remain in office, the election results have increased scrutiny of his leadership and the future direction of Germany’s governing coalition. The CDU’s historic losses, combined with the AfD’s growing support in eastern Germany and Die Linke’s success in Berlin, have created additional political pressure as Merz attempts to push through his reform agenda.