Merz calls regional election ‘disaster’ as German far right heads for 2nd win
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists he will remain in office following severe electoral defeats across three state contests that triggered a historic collapse in public backing. Just one in ten Germans believes Merz is up to the job after his Christian Democratic Union suffered major losses to the far right. The escalating political pressure strains government authority as national parties clash over economic and immigration policies. Despite the voter backlash and plunging support ratings, Merz rejected calls to step down on Sunday evening.
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- ✓ Friedrich Merz was elected German chancellor in May 2025, becoming the country’s 10th chancellor since World War II.
- ✓ Friedrich Merz vowed on Sunday evening that he would remain in the job after his party performed poorly in state elections.
- ✓ Just one in ten Germans thinks Merz is up to the job after his party suffered defeats in three state elections.
- ✓ President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on German Unity Day.
What changed
Chancellor Merz hit a record low approval rating with just one in ten Germans believing he is up to the job following defeats in three state elections.
Live updates
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German Chancellor Merz Vows to Stay Despite Record Low Approval
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists he will remain in office following severe electoral defeats across three state contests that triggered a historic collapse in public backing. Just one in ten Germans believes Merz is up to the job after his Christian Democratic Union suffered major losses to the far right. The escalating political pressure strains government authority as national parties clash over economic and immigration policies. Despite the voter backlash and plunging support ratings, Merz rejected calls to step down on Sunday evening.
Why it matters
Merz took office in May 2025 as Germany's 10th chancellor since World War II, leading a governing coalition now facing intense strain from surging far-right momentum. Public support for his party has deteriorated over time amid mounting economic and regional pressures. Meanwhile, international diplomatic engagements continue, highlighted by congratulatory messages from Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for German Unity Day.
What is confirmed
- Friedrich Merz was elected German chancellor in May 2025, becoming the country’s 10th chancellor since World War II.
- Friedrich Merz vowed on Sunday evening that he would remain in the job after his party performed poorly in state elections.
- Just one in ten Germans thinks Merz is up to the job after his party suffered defeats in three state elections.
- President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on German Unity Day.
What to watch next
- Whether Chancellor Merz can maintain his governing coalition amid plunging approval ratings.
- Further political developments following far-right electoral gains in regional German states.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (7)
- www.scmp.com — Friedrich Merz
- www.europesays.com — Germany’s Merz Vows to Stay After Another State Election ...
- politicstoday.org — State Parliamentary Elections in Germany: Uncertainties ...
- www.aljazeera.com — Support for Merz plunges after CDU’s losses to Germany’s ...
- jen.jiji.com — President Tokayev highlights new opportunities to strengthen Kazakhstan-Germany partnership
- jen.jiji.com — Kazakhstan to establish three R&D centers in energy, AI and digital data storage
- londondaily.com — World Leaders Respond to German Election Outcomes
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German Far-Right AfD Eyes State Premiership After Election Win
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing intense political pressure after the far-right Alternative for Germany party secured a major regional victory in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Merz condemned the outcome as a disaster for his Christian Democratic Union, though he vowed to maintain his governing coalition and press forward with unpopular economic reforms. Meanwhile, the far-right leader in Saxony-Anhalt stated an ambition to assume the role of state premier in December following the party's recent surge. The electoral setbacks have eroded the political center and strained government authority as national parties clash over economic pressures and immigration policies.
Why it matters
The electoral defeats expose deep voter frustration over pensions, living costs, and immigration within Europe's largest economy. The Alternative for Germany continues to expand beyond eastern strongholds, rattling mainstream politicians and prompting fierce debates inside the Bundestag over contentious topics such as remigration. These regional outcomes threaten to derail the federal reform agenda of Chancellor Merz as his coalition tries to respond to shifting voter sentiment.
What is confirmed
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the regional election results a disaster for his Christian Democratic Union.
- The far-right Alternative for Germany led exit polls in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
- The leader of the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt stated an ambition to become state premier in December.
Still unconfirmed
- Commentators warned that the erosion of the political center was weakening Chancellor Merz's grip on power.
What to watch next
- Decisions by the coalition government to adjust economic and pension reforms in response to voter pressure.
- The potential formation of state government leadership by the Alternative for Germany in December.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (15)
- www.politico.eu — Alternative for Germany (AfD) - POLITICO
- jen.jiji.com — Rome, accident at the Colosseum during the night: 22-year-old worker dies
- www.theguardian.com — Look again – there’s more to Europe’s election trends than far-right success
- www.cnn.com — Germany’s AfD is so extreme it’s putting off other far-right ...
- foreignpolicy.com — Germany Under Friedrich Merz Has Lost Its Authority at Home ...
- www.straitstimes.com — German state election losses risk snarling Merz’s reform ...
- www.europesays.com — Chancellor Merz calls Germany state elections results a ...
- www.hyperera.news — The far-right AfD makes historic gains in a German state ...
- www.wfmz.com — Germany's Merz shocked by far-right state election triumph ...
- international.astroawani.com — German state election losses risk snarling Merz's reform ...
- en.parapolitika.gr — Merz vs. AfD: Bundestag erupts in fierce clash over ...
- www.thedailystar.net — Far-right AfD wins historic victory in German state election
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Chancellor Merz calls state election results a disaster as AfD wins
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is fighting to maintain his position after the far-right Alternative for Germany party projected a first-place finish in regional elections on September 20. Merz described the results as a disaster, facing a situation where his party was ejected from a state legislature for the first time in 80 years. While the AfD secures its second first-place state result this year, Merz has vowed to remain in office despite the defeat.
Why it matters
The AfD is described as Kremlin-friendly and is now closer to regional power than any far-right party since World War II. These elections occurred across two German states amid a broader surge in far-right support.
What is confirmed
- The AfD was projected to take first place in regional elections on September 20.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the state election results as a disaster.
- The AfD has won two first-place results in state elections this year.
- Friedrich Merz vowed to stay on as Chancellor despite the election results.
Still unconfirmed
- Merz's party was ejected from a state legislature for the first time in its eight-decade history.
- The AfD is Kremlin-friendly.
What to watch next
- Official certification of the September 20 regional election results.
- Legislative actions or policy shifts by Chancellor Merz to stabilize his position.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (8)
- The New York Times — Germans Are Voting Again, Amid a Far-Right Surge. Here’s What to Watch.
- Al Jazeera — Two German states go to the polls after far-right gains
- dw.com — Germany: Polls open in two key state elections
- politico.eu — Germany’s far right secures another win in key regional election, exit poll says
- BBC — German Chancellor Merz vows to stay on despite 'disaster' in state election
- time.com — German Far-Right Expands Gains in ‘Disaster’ State Elections for Chancellor Merz
- www.nbcnews.com — German Chancellor Merz fights to survive historic defeat in regional elections
- www.yahoo.com — Merz decries 'disaster' as far-right AfD party set for big win in regional German elections
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