German Chancellor Merz calls state election loss a disaster and vows to stay in office

Exit polls released after the recent state elections indicate that the centre‑right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Friedrich Merz suffered notable setbacks in both Berlin and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern. The preliminary figures show the party’s vote share falling well below expectations, with analysts pointing to a decline of several percentage points compared with the previous election cycle.

The losses in Berlin, a traditionally competitive urban market, and in the rural‑leaning Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern suggest a broader challenge for the CDU ahead of upcoming federal contests. Party officials have attributed the dip to a combination of local issues, voter fatigue with the incumbent government, and a surge in support for smaller parties. The results are expected to prompt internal assessments within the CDU as it seeks to recalibrate its strategy before the next national election.