Merz faces pressure after CDU suffers major election losses

Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced renewed pressure on Sunday after his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered heavy losses in state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The CDU won just 4.9% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, falling below the threshold for parliamentary representation, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 38.2%. The AfD also gained ground in Berlin with 16.3%, while the far-left Die Linke topped the capital's vote with 25.7%.

Merz described the results as a “disaster” for the political centre but rejected calls for his resignation. He said he would continue pursuing tax and welfare reforms, which he called an answer to authoritarianism.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the AfD also finished ahead of Merz's coalition partner, the Social Democrats (SPD). However, the party is unlikely to find coalition partners, leaving incumbent SPD governor Manuela Schwesig, who won 35%, in a position to seek another governing alliance.

In Berlin, Die Linke leader Elif Eralp secured the party's strongest result, campaigning on housing affordability and proposals including a rent cap and taking control of apartments owned by large property companies.

The results have increased scrutiny of Merz's federal coalition as Germany's fragmented political landscape makes forming stable governing majorities more difficult.