AfD wins in Mecklenburg, Merz calls result a catastrophe

20.09.2026 19:04 HotInfo

According to initial projections, AfD won the state elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with 37 to 38 percent of the vote. In Berlin, the Left party finished in first place, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU lagged behind. ORF ↗

Merz described the CDU's result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a catastrophe and said he was taking responsibility for it. The Christian Democrats also faced fears that they might not even enter the state parliament. This marks another significant success for AfD in the former East Germany, following its recent gains in Saxony-Anhalt. Le Figaro ↗

In Berlin, according to projections from public broadcasters, the Left party won approximately 24.5 to 26 percent of the vote. The CDU finished there in second place, trailing behind. The election results increased political pressure on Merz, who nevertheless announced that he remains Federal Chancellor as well as CDU chairman. forum24.cz ↗

At the same time, the Chancellor refused to change the government's direction. After the elections, he called for the continuation of planned reforms at the national level and emphasized that their government must carry them out. The results of the regional elections may thus influence the internal debate within the CDU, but no immediate change in the party's or government's leadership was announced.Welt ↗

The results from Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern confirmed the differing rise of the right and the radical left in two significant federal states. Further political developments will depend on coalition negotiations and on whether Merz manages to push through reforms despite the CDU's weakened support.

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