Germans in two states, Berlin and the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, went to the polls Sunday in elections that could pile more pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Surveys suggest his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) risks steep losses in both races, fueling speculation that Merz could be pushed out mid-term just 16 months into his chancellorship.
The vote follows a bruising defeat two weeks ago in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored a landslide win while CDU support was cut in half. In Berlin, the CDU is fighting simply to hold onto power against the left-wing Die Linke party. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it is hovering dangerously close to the 5% threshold required to keep any seats at all—a potential record low.
The AfD, whose regional branches are sometimes labeled right-wing extremist by German intelligence (a charge the party disputes), continues to gain ground in the former East Germany with its anti-immigration, Russia-friendly platform. Meanwhile, the center-left SPD’s Manuela Schwesig, the state’s current premier, is campaigning as the anti-AfD alternative, even as her national party remains locked in an uneasy coalition with Merz.
Critics call Merz arrogant and out of touch, pointing to remarks urging Germans to work harder and take less sick leave. Supporters counter that he inherited a stagnant economy and high energy costs beyond his control. Read the full BBC report for more.
Source: German elections under way which could decide fate of Chancellor Merz (feeds.bbci.co.uk).
Image: Phyo WP, BY-SA 4.0 (via Openverse).