German Chancellor Merz Calls CDU Election Results a Disaster
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz called election results a disaster. His party the CDU lost votes on Sunday.
The elections took place in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. Merz said he will stay on as chancellor.
Projections show the CDU failed to win seats in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's parliament. This would be a historic first for the CDU.
The far-right AfD party led there instead. Other parties are unlikely to work with the AfD.
In Berlin the left-wing Die Linke party led. But Die Linke will need coalition partners to govern.
The AfD also gained significant support in both states. This built on the AfD's win in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6.
Klear Note — State elections choose lawmakers for regional parliaments, not Germany’s national government. Coalitions are agreements between parties needed when no party wins alone.
Key Terms 5
- CDU Germany's center-right party, led by Chancellor Merz.
- AfD Germany's far-right political party.
- Die Linke Germany's left-wing political party.
- coalition partners Parties that join together to form a government.
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania A state in northern Germany.