Merz calls state election loss a disaster as AfD surges to 37% in Mecklenburg

Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted his CDU suffered a crushing defeat in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the AfD reached 37% while the CDU fell to 5.5%.

29 outlets3 min read11m agoImportance 8/10

According to an ARD exit poll, the Christian Democratic Union secured only 5.5% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, putting it at risk of missing the parliamentary threshold. The Alternative for Germany more than doubled its support to 37%, overtaking the long-dominant Social Democrats, who received 35.5%. In the capital, Berlin, the CDU fell behind Die Linke, which captured 24.5% while the CDU managed just 20%.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled the outcome “a disaster” and pledged to press on with his pension, healthcare and tax reforms. The setback follows a recent loss to the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, intensifying calls from some CDU figures to replace Merz after only 16 months in office. Nevertheless, Merz gathered senior party leaders to assess his standing and affirmed he will not abandon his agenda.

How this was covered

Coverage peaked at 23 outlets in a single hour

Why it matters

The results signal a sharp shift toward the far right in eastern Germany, threatening the CDU's governing stability.

How the sides frame it

HIGH AGREEMENT

All three camps report the same core facts - Merz called the result a disaster, the AfD surged to around 37% in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Merz pledged to press on with reforms - with only minor differences in emphasis.

LEFT

Left-leaning coverage frames the story as a dramatic defeat for Merz, highlighting the AfD’s surge as a threat to the CDU while stressing Merz’s resolve to push painful reforms.

CENTER

Centrist coverage frames the story as a serious setback for Merz, noting the AfD’s strong performance and Merz’s description of the result as a “disaster,” while reporting his commitment to continue reforms.

RIGHT

Right-leaning coverage frames the story as a historic loss for the CDU, emphasizing the AfD’s victory and portraying Merz’s vow to continue reforms as a defiant response to the setback.

The left emphasises

Merz called the result a "disaster"
AfD surged to roughly 37-38% in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Merz pledged to press ahead with reforms despite the loss

The right emphasises

Merz suffered a historic defeat, the worst since 1949
AfD topped the vote with about 37% in the state
Merz said he will not resign and will push reforms

How this story developed

Aug 23 Merz warns AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt could scare off foreign investors
Sep 9 Former US president Donald Trump praised the Alternative for Germany (AfD) after its impressive result in Saxony-Anhalt, blaming the country's immigration policies.
Sep 9 Trump posted a congratulatory message to the AfD on Truth Social after the Saxony‑Anhalt results.
Sep 9 Merz and AfD leader Alice Weidel clashed in a Bundestag budget debate following the Saxony‑Anhalt result.
Sep 10 Claudia Obert resigned from the CDU and Tino Schomann publicly demanded Merz’s resignation.
Sep 11 Only the BSW agreed to talks as all other parties declined, and Chancellor Merz rebuked Donald Trump’s congratulatory post.
Sep 12 Protesters took to streets in dozens of German cities to denounce the AfD and its candidate following its recent electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt.
Sep 12 Markus Söder publicly rejected calls to replace Chancellor Merz.
Sep 13 Sven Schulze replaced Guido Heuer as CDU minister after a close internal vote.
Sep 13 Protests included a Hamburg rally featuring EKD council chair Kirsten Fehrs, DGB chief Tanja Chawla, deputy Schura chair Özlem Nas and singer Axel Bosse, and displayed slogans such as “No step back! Against the AfD and right‑wing hate!”.
Sep 13 Sloterdijk’s interview at the Hay Festival added new commentary on the AfD’s trajectory.
Sep 18 Eight state premiers issued a joint communiqué reaffirming support for Chancellor Merz.
Sep 20 Recent polls show the SPD narrowing the gap with the AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while the CDU lingers just above the entry threshold and smaller parties risk missing seats. In Berlin, the SPD has slipped behind but remains a contender, and no party appears set for an outright majority, making a three-party coalition likely. Possible alliances include red-green-red or black-green-red blocs, with a potential surprise from the Greens, and incumbent mayor Kai Wegner is not running again.
Sep 20 Polls now show Die Linke slightly ahead of the CDU in Berlin and the AfD closing on the SPD in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern.

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