CDU shut out in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Merz calls result 'a disaster'
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU took 4.9 percent of the vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, falling short of the 5 percent threshold and losing all seats in the state parliament. The far-right AfD finished first there, while the Left Party, running under Elif Eralp, won in Berlin.
RastinewsGermany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, suffered heavy losses in state elections held Sunday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The far-right AfD topped the vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while the Left Party won in Berlin.
CDU falls below threshold in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
The CDU took just 4.9 percent of the vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, missing the 5 percent threshold needed to enter the state parliament. It is the first time in the party's 81-year history that it has failed to win seats in a state legislature.
The AfD won with 38.2 percent, more than doubling its vote share from the 2021 election. The party fell short of a majority to govern alone.
The Social Democrats (SPD), who have held the state premiership since 2017 under Manuela Schwesig, placed second with 35.5 percent. The SPD is expected to remain in power through a coalition. The Left Party also doubled its vote share, matching the AfD's gains.
Left Party wins in Berlin
The Left Party finished first in Berlin with roughly 25 percent of the vote. It fell short of a majority but posted major gains. The party is expected to form a coalition government led by Elif Eralp, who is of Turkish descent.
The CDU came second with 18.8 percent, down 9.5 points from the 2023 election. The AfD placed third with 16 percent, and the SPD, which lost a third of its previous vote share, came fourth with 12 percent.
The Left Party, the SPD and the Greens could in theory form a majority for a red-red-green coalition. The CDU has described the Left Party as "far-left and antisemitic."
"We can't dress up the result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it's a disaster"
Merz appeared before cameras just minutes after the first results were announced. "We can't dress up the result, it's a disaster," he said of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while calling the CDU's heavy losses in Berlin "a reasonable result."
Merz signaled he would stay the course. He said he would not back down from his reform agenda: "The reforms have to happen. Of course this puts all of us in a difficult position. But we are taking on that responsibility. I am taking on that responsibility."
Reform agenda strains coalition
The program Merz unveiled months ago aims to rein in rapidly rising costs in health, long-term care and pension insurance. Under the coalition's health care reform, medications and dental treatment will become more expensive, while family insurance coverage will be narrowed. A pension reform meant to encourage private savings is still under discussion.
According to the regular Deutschlandtrend poll, the CDU-SPD governing coalition has already lost its majority. Merz acknowledged that the changes bring new burdens and uncertainty for many people.
Merz closed his post-election remarks with these words: "What needs to be done now calls for courage, resolve and patience. I will show that — as CDU chairman, and above all as this country's federal chancellor."
Also trailed in Saxony-Anhalt
The CDU also finished far behind the AfD in the September 6 election in Saxony-Anhalt. That makes three election defeats for the party in two weeks.
Merz, who has held office since 2025, has faced sharp criticism within his own party following the losses, along with calls for his resignation.