Two German states go to the polls after far-right gains
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called state election results a disaster after his Christian Democratic Union party faced a dire defeat. Exit polls show the far-right Alternative for Germany party winning another state election and capturing its second first-place result this year. Merz remains defiant, vowing to press ahead with his government reform agenda despite facing heavy pressure and political squeezing from both the far-right and left parties. The results bring the far-right closer to regional power than at any time since World War Two.
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- ✓ German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged that the election result was a disaster.
- ✓ The far-right Alternative for Germany won its second first-place result in state elections this year.
- ✓ Exit polls show German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union party facing a dire set of results.
What changed
Two German states held elections that resulted in a disastrous defeat for Chancellor Merz's party and another victory for the far-right AfD.
Live updates
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German Far-Right Surges in State Elections
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called state election results a disaster after his Christian Democratic Union party faced a dire defeat. Exit polls show the far-right Alternative for Germany party winning another state election and capturing its second first-place result this year. Merz remains defiant, vowing to press ahead with his government reform agenda despite facing heavy pressure and political squeezing from both the far-right and left parties. The results bring the far-right closer to regional power than at any time since World War Two.
Why it matters
The state elections served as a key test for Chancellor Merz amid a growing far-right surge across Germany. His party faces intense political pressure as voters head to the polls in two more states following earlier far-right gains. The ongoing regional contests threaten the stability of the current federal leadership.
What is confirmed
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged that the election result was a disaster.
- The far-right Alternative for Germany won its second first-place result in state elections this year.
- Exit polls show German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union party facing a dire set of results.
What to watch next
- Final certified election results from both German states
- Official coalition-building talks at the regional level
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- CBS News — Germany's leader under huge pressure as far-right AfD gains steam, but could he be forced out?
- The Guardian — Future of German chancellor hangs in the balance as two states go to polls
- Reuters — Merz under pressure as two more German states go to the polls
- 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
- www.cbsnews.com — Germany's Merz defiant after historic state elections defeat, vows to press ahead with reforms
- www.yahoo.com — Chancellor Merz calls Germany state elections results a ‘disaster,’ as far-right surges again
- www.rnz.co.nz — Germany’s far-right AfD wins another state election, exit polls show
- www.bastillepost.com — Merz faces key test as 2 German states hold elections with eyes on the far-right AfD
- time.com — German Far-Right Expands Gains in ‘Disaster’ State Elections for Chancellor Merz
- www.crossroadstoday.com — Chancellor Merz calls Germany state elections results a ‘disaster,’ as far-right surge again
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