Merz vows to stay as preliminary state results show CDU losses
Merz pledged to remain chancellor on September 20 as preliminary results put the AfD ahead in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Die Linke ahead in Berlin.
In short
- Merz pledged to remain chancellor on September 20 as preliminary results put the AfD ahead in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Die Linke ahead in Berlin.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on September 20, 2026, that he would remain in office after preliminary state-election results showed heavy losses for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
The Guardian reported that the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) was approaching 38% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while the CDU stood just above the 5% threshold for entering the state parliament. In Berlin, the left-wing Die Linke was projected to take about 25%, ahead of the CDU at roughly 20%.
These are preliminary figures, not certified final results. Separate reporting by the Associated Press, citing broadcaster ARD, also put the AfD near 38% and the CDU just above 5% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Merz said he would continue as chancellor and CDU leader and pursue changes to taxation, pensions, healthcare and bureaucracy. His response marks a new development since voting began earlier on September 20.
Finishing first does not itself secure control of a state government. Other major parties have ruled out governing with the AfD, leaving coalition negotiations central to the eventual outcome. The votes elect state legislatures; they do not directly determine who serves as federal chancellor.
