German Chancellor Merz calls regional election losses a disaster as AfD leads in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday labelled the Christian Democratic Union’s (CDU) poor performance in two recent regional elections as a “disaster” and pledged to continue his party’s reform agenda despite the setbacks. Exit polls showed the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) topping the vote in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania, while the party also made notable gains in the simultaneous Berlin election, signaling a shift in voter sentiment in key urban and rural areas.

The CDU’s losses, which Merz described as unprecedented for the governing coalition, have heightened concerns about the party’s ability to maintain its traditional base ahead of upcoming federal contests. Analysts note that the AfD’s surge in Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania and its improved standing in Berlin could reshape the political landscape, pressuring the CDU to reassess its policy platform and campaign strategy. Merz’s commitment to push forward with reforms suggests the party will seek to counter the right‑wing momentum while attempting to restore confidence among its supporters.