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German State Elections Put Merz Under Pressure as AfD Advances
People in two German states will vote for their regional governments on Sunday.
The vote comes after the AfD performed very strongly in another state earlier this month.
The AfD is a right-wing party that wants stricter deportations and major changes to Germany’s energy and currency policies.
Polls suggest it may not win either of the new elections, but it could still gain more seats.
This is putting pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his conservative party.
Merz has faced low approval ratings and criticism over economic problems and communication mistakes.
Many voters are worried about expensive fuel, energy, and housing.
Other parties still refuse to form governing coalitions with the AfD.
Voters in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin will elect new state parliaments on Sunday.
The elections follow the AfD’s strong performance in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces declining approval and growing doubts within the CDU about his leadership.
Polls put the SPD narrowly ahead of the AfD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while the AfD ranks third in Berlin.
Rising energy and housing costs are major campaign issues, prompting Merz to propose fuel-tax relief.
- Who
- German voters, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the CDU, the AfD, the SPD, the Left Party, and the Greens are central to the elections.
- What
- State elections are being held in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin amid strong AfD gains and pressure on Merz.
- Where
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Berlin, and Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
- When
- The elections will take place on Sunday; they follow the September 6 election in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Why
- The elections are being closely watched because of the AfD’s advances, Merz’s low approval, and concerns over energy, housing, and economic conditions.
Supporters of Merz and the Firewall
Critics and AfD Advance
Merz’s leadership
Supporters of Merz and the Firewall
Senior CDU figures have rallied behind Merz, arguing that replacing him would be difficult and would not remove Germany’s underlying economic problems.
Critics and AfD Advance
Low approval ratings, policy discontent, and repeated communication mistakes have led to growing doubts within the CDU about whether Merz can continue leading.
Coalition strategy
Supporters of Merz and the Firewall
The CDU and other major parties maintain that they should not enter coalition agreements with the AfD.
Critics and AfD Advance
The AfD’s strong electoral performance is raising questions about whether the firewall strategy can contain its growing support.
Regional election momentum
Supporters of Merz and the Firewall
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the SPD has narrowed the race and moved slightly ahead of the AfD by campaigning around state premier Manuela Schwesig.
Critics and AfD Advance
The AfD has made major gains nationally, nearly winning an absolute majority in Saxony-Anhalt and moving into third place in Berlin.
Key facts
- Merz approval
- The latest polls cited in the report put Friedrich Merz’s approval as low as 14%.
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania poll
- The SPD stood at 37%, the AfD at 36%, the Left Party at 9%, and the Greens at 5%.
- CDU outlook
- The CDU was projected at 6% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, putting it at risk of missing the parliamentary threshold.
- Berlin poll
- The Left Party led with 22%, followed by the CDU at 20%, the Greens at 15%, the AfD at 18%, and the SPD at 12%.
- Berlin threshold
- The BSW was polling at 4%, just below the threshold for entering parliament.
- Fuel relief
- Merz presented a package including tax cuts on gas and diesel.
- Coalition policy
- Germany’s main parties continue to refuse coalition agreements with the AfD under the so-called firewall strategy.
Sources
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