German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Sunday, September 20, 2026, that he will remain in office and continue his economic reform agenda following significant losses for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in two state elections. Exit polls released by public broadcaster ARD showed the center-right CDU receiving 5% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which represents the party's lowest result in any state since World War II. In Berlin, the CDU was projected to finish in second place with 20% of the vote, trailing the Left party, which received 24.5%.
The election results follow a September 6 defeat for the CDU in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a strong performance. Merz, 70, assumed the chancellorship 16 months ago with a mandate to revitalize the German economy, which has experienced minimal growth for several years. However, his popularity has declined as he has struggled to improve the national economic outlook, leading to recent calls from within his own party for his replacement.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the anti-migration and Russia-friendly AfD was projected to secure 37% of the vote, while in Berlin, the party reached 15.7%. Although these figures do not grant the AfD enough support to form a regional government, the party's national co-leader, Tino Chrupalla, called for Merz's resignation, describing the chancellor's response to the election results as "feeble." Merz characterized the CDU's performance as a "disaster" but stated that the government's measures are necessary to counter "authoritarianism" in society.
The rise of the AfD, which achieved 15.7% in Berlin and its highest-ever chance of leading a regional government in Saxony-Anhalt, marks a change in the German political landscape. This shift affects the legal and social rights of migrants and the country's foreign policy stance toward Russia, given the AfD's stated platforms. The shock expressed by many Germans at these results suggests a potential shift in how post-war education and anti-persecution laws influence modern voting behavior. For federal workers and students, the outcome signals a period of heightened debate over national identity and the role of nationalism in German governance.
Looking ahead, Chancellor Merz has canceled a planned visit to the U.N. General Assembly in New York scheduled for the week of September 21 to manage the domestic political situation. While senior allies have warned against "personnel debates" regarding leadership, the pressure for Merz to step down persists following three consecutive state election setbacks in a single month. The chancellor has stated he intends to complete his term, but the success of his legislative agenda will depend on his ability to maintain "backbone and steadfastness" amid declining public approval and a strengthened opposition. No specific dates for future confidence votes or leadership challenges were reported.