German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he will maintain his ruling coalition for the sake of Germany's democratic future, following significant defeats for his party in two state elections. Merz emphasized the coalition's commitment to addressing the historic challenges facing the country, referring to the partnership between his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
The pressure on Merz has increased after the recent election results. In the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party secured the most votes, while the CDU did not meet the threshold to remain in the state parliament. In Berlin, the CDU placed second to the hard-left Die Linke party, with the AfD also gaining ground.
During a news conference on Monday, Merz described the outcome in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a heavy blow for the CDU, calling it a profound turning point and an unprecedented result for the party in Germany. He noted that there had been no discussions regarding his position since the election results and countered the notion that his low approval ratings were solely responsible for the defeats.
Merz acknowledged his role in the elections but stated that the reasons for the results extend beyond his individual performance. He remarked on the transformation of Germany's political party system, which he believes is occurring in many countries globally.
Rumors have circulated about the possibility of Merz being replaced mid-term due to his poor approval ratings. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel commented on Monday that Merz would likely leave office soon.
The elections occurred on Sunday, two weeks after the CDU's vote was halved in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD achieved a significant victory. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the CDU fell short of the 5% threshold required to enter parliament, marking what was projected to be the party's worst result in the region. Merz previously referred to this outcome as a disaster.
Although the AfD won the most votes in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it did not achieve a majority and is unlikely to govern, as other parties may refuse to collaborate with it. Some factions of the AfD are classified as right-wing extremist by domestic intelligence, a designation the party rejects. Its anti-immigration and pro-Russian agenda has gained support in the former communist east of Germany.
In Berlin, the CDU's defeat means that Die Linke, which received the most votes, may now form a coalition government.