Voters in two German states went to the polls on Sunday in regional elections that carry significant implications for the political future of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who faces mounting pressure following recent gains by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party.
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time and are scheduled to close at 6 p.m. across Berlin and the Baltic coast state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Approximately 2.5 million people are eligible to vote in the capital state of Berlin, alongside nearly 1.3 million eligible voters in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The state elections follow two weeks after a regional vote in former communist Saxony-Anhalt, where the anti-immigration, pro-Kremlin AfD achieved its highest-ever result in a regional election. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD fell just short of an absolute majority that would have permitted it to govern independently. The party is currently seeking defectors from other parties to form a state administration, which would mark the first far-right government in a German state since the Nazi period. However, current opinion polls indicate the AfD will fall well short of winning either state on Sunday, despite its broader momentum.
The outcome of Sunday’s polls could affect Merz’s ability to retain leadership after 16 months in office. A significant decline in support for his conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) could initiate discussions surrounding his potential replacement or the possibility of snap elections, though national snap elections are currently considered unlikely.
Merz’s standing has been affected by unfulfilled campaign pledges to restore growth to Europe’s largest economy and reduce support for the AfD, which remains the largest opposition party in the federal parliament and leads current national opinion polling. The chancellor’s personal approval rating has fallen to 10%. A government official confirmed that Merz cancelled a planned appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York due to his required presence in Berlin following the elections.
Despite political headwinds, Merz has rejected calls to resign and pledged to pursue a core package of economic and social welfare reforms. Speaking to an industry group, Merz defended his mandate, stating, “We as a government were elected for four years, I was elected for four years,” and added, “And I want to use these four years to lead the country out of this difficult period.”
In Berlin, the incumbent CDU is competing for top position against the far-left party Die Linke. Housing affordability has emerged as a central campaign issue in the capital, where roughly 85% of households rent their homes and advertised rents have nearly doubled since 2014, when the city was characterized by then-Mayor Klaus Wowereit as “poor but sexy.” Die Linke has proposed the expropriation of corporate landlords to curb rising housing costs. The AfD is currently polling in third or fourth place in Berlin.
Sources
– [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/20/german-chancellor-friedrich-merz-state-elections-berlin-far-right)
Source: The Guardian World
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
Story synopsis gathered from: The Guardian World — source
