German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a statement at the CDU headquarters in Berlin
In Berlin, the centre-right party was projected to finish second with 20%, trailing the Left party, which was estimated to win 24.5%, according to ARD’s exit poll.
In recent weeks, calls for his replacement as chancellor have even emerged from within his own party, although no prominent allies have publicly backed his departure, and many have cautioned against getting drawn into “personnel debates. ” The AfD’s strong performance in Saxony-Anhalt, where it has its strongest opportunity yet to lead a far-right state government since World War II, has further weakened Merz’s position nationally. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suffered a fresh electoral setback on Sunday as his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) lost ground in two state elections, but he rejected suggestions that his government would backtrack on its reform agenda.