Future of German chancellor hangs in the balance as two states go to polls

Key Points:

• Voters in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are casting ballots in regional elections that could determine the political future of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose approval ratings have plummeted to 10%.
• The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), buoyed by a recent record result in Saxony-Anhalt, is expected to siphon support from Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), threatening the party's standing and Merz's leadership.
• In Berlin, the CDU faces stiff competition from the far-left Die Linke and the AfD, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU risks falling below the 5% threshold for parliamentary representation for the first time in 75 years.
• Merz has resisted calls to resign, vowing to complete his four-year term and implement key economic and social reforms, but poor election outcomes could trigger leadership challenges or even snap elections.
• The AfD's rise is attributed to its appeal to economic anxieties, crime fears, and opposition to Merz's pro-Ukraine stance, with the party mobilizing non-voters to achieve its recent successes.