German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected speculation that he could step down after his Christian Democratic Union suffered historic defeats in two state elections, saying he intends to remain chancellor and party leader while reopening talks on reforms with his Social Democratic coalition partner. Reuters, AP and Le Monde reported that the results have weakened his authority as Europe’s largest economy faces difficult tax, pension and health policy decisions.
Official provisional results from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania showed the CDU taking 4.9 percent on September 20, below the 5 percent threshold for representation and the first time it has been excluded from a state parliament in the history of modern Germany. The AfD finished first with 38.2 percent and 32 of 71 seats, followed by the SPD on 35.5 percent and 29 seats. The Left and Greens each secured five seats.
Berlin delivered a second blow. The Left finished first with about 25.7 percent, while the CDU fell to second place and the AfD recorded its strongest result in the capital, according to Reuters and AP. Coalition negotiations will determine the next city government, so the CDU could still retain city hall, but the result followed its loss to the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier.
Merz acknowledged that federal politics and his own leadership had influenced the votes, but said the causes extended beyond one person. He argued that mainstream parties must address public uncertainty and said the CDU lacks satisfactory answers on too many issues. No senior party figure publicly launched a leadership challenge on Monday, and Merz said party meetings had raised no personnel question.
The setback also exposed tension inside the federal coalition. Merz wants to advance tax changes and difficult overhauls of pensions and health care to revive a sluggish economy. SPD co-leader and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said both the government’s communication and parts of the substance need adjustment, while Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania premier Manuela Schwesig said the chancellor must regain public trust.
The immediate contests now shift to coalition building in both states and negotiations in Berlin between the CDU-led federal government and the SPD. Mainstream parties continue to rule out governing with the AfD, making stable majorities harder to assemble as support fragments. Merz’s ability to keep his coalition united and deliver reforms will shape whether the regional defeats remain contained or develop into a broader challenge to his chancellorship.
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