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Merz calls regional election ‘disaster’ as German far right heads for 2nd win
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the regional election results in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a "disaster," with exit polls showing the far-right AfD leading at 37%, narrowly ahead of the center-left SPD at 35.5%.
- The AfD's strong performance follows their recent victory in Saxony-Anhalt, where they may govern a German state for the first time since the 1940s, indicating a rising far-right influence in eastern Germany.
- The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Merz, suffered a historic low with only 5.5% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, prompting speculation about his leadership but Merz vowed to continue pushing his reform agenda.
- Merz emphasized the need for economic and welfare reforms, including raising the retirement age and cutting some health benefits, framing these changes as necessary to counter authoritarianism and strengthen Germany's future.
- In Berlin, the Left party (Die Linke) is projected to lead with 24.5% of the vote, ahead of the CDU's 20%, signaling shifting political dynamics in the capital as well.
