German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU party suffered a historic electoral defeat in state elections, achieving its lowest result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since World War II. Despite this setback, Merz vowed to continue with his government’s reform agenda, framing it as essential to combatting rising authoritarianism.

The far-right AfD party made significant gains, with its co-leader claiming they had “displaced the CDU as the people’s party.” Merz acknowledged the “disaster” of the election results but insisted on the need for “backbone, steadfastness, and patience” to push through necessary, albeit unpopular, reforms for Europe’s largest economy.

Merz Vows to Push Reforms Despite Historic CDU Election Defeat in Germany

By Wall Street News Editor

September 20, 2026

Merz Vows to Push Reforms Despite Historic CDU Election Defeat in Germany — Supporters of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), German Chancellor Friedrich Merz appears on a screen in a TV studio following the closure of polling stations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state elections on Sept. 20, 2026, in Berlin. The election is a close race between the leftist Die Linke, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The SPD are currently in fifth place but could play a decisive role in the formation of a coalition. | Michele Tantussi | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Election Setback and Defiant Stance

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced a significant electoral blow on Sunday, with his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) experiencing a historic defeat in two state elections. Projections by public broadcaster ARD indicated a dismal 4.9% for the CDU in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, marking the party's lowest state result since World War II. This outcome, if finalized, would mean the CDU fails to secure any seats in a state legislature for the first time in its history. The anti-migration, Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany (AfD) party saw substantial gains in both states.

Despite acknowledging the result as a "disaster," Merz adopted a resolute stance, reaffirming his commitment to his government's reform agenda. He argued that the current economic and political challenges in Germany necessitate, rather than preclude, difficult and potentially unpopular reforms. "What needs to be done now requires backbone, steadfastness, and patience," Merz stated, vowing to embody these qualities as both CDU chairman and Chancellor.

AfD's Rise and Merz's Counter-Narrative

In Berlin, projections placed the CDU second with 19.1%, trailing the Left party's 25.3%. The AfD made significant inroads, securing 37.9% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and 16.2% in Berlin, though not enough to form a regional government. AfD's national co-leader, Alice Weidel, proclaimed that the party had "displaced the CDU as the people's party."

In response to the AfD's growing influence, Merz positioned his government's reforms as an "antidote to the poison of authoritarianism." The proposed reforms target income tax cuts for low- and middle-income families, an overhaul of the pension system, and a reduction in bureaucratic hurdles. Merz, who assumed leadership 16 months ago with promises of economic revitalization, has struggled to improve national sentiment and has become increasingly unpopular, with his standing further diminished by the CDU's previous defeat to the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt.

Internal Party Dynamics

Recent weeks have seen internal calls for Merz's replacement, though no senior allies have publicly demanded his departure, with many cautioning against "personnel debates." Philipp Amthor, a prominent CDU figure, attributed some of the campaign's difficulties to "the difficult personnel discussions" of recent weeks, seemingly referencing the speculation surrounding Merz. Amthor emphasized the importance of ceasing these discussions to focus on other matters.