Merz pledges to hold German coalition together after regional election losses
The chancellor says he will remain in office and pursue economic and welfare reforms after major gains by the AfD and Die Linke.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to preserve his governing coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) after major losses for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in regional elections.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as the leading party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the CDU suffered its worst election result since its founding in 1945 and failed to enter the state parliament, according to the source report.
In Berlin, Die Linke pushed the CDU into second place, while the AfD also made strong gains. The available material does not provide final vote shares, seat totals or the coalitions that will govern either state.
Merz described the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania result as a “heavy blow” and a “dramatic, unprecedented result” for the CDU. He said he would remain chancellor and continue pursuing economic and social welfare reforms.
The SPD said it would remain in the coalition but indicated it would seek changes to planned reforms. Merz said the government had a responsibility to address voters’ worries and fears, while arguing that the election results reflected broader changes in Germany’s political party system.
The results have increased pressure on Merz after about 16 months in office, but his pledge to stay does not resolve the political difficulties facing the coalition.
