German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces growing pressure as far-right AfD gains in state elections

On September 20, 2026, voters in the German states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin went to the polls in regional elections. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was expected to make gains, following its strong showing in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose approval rating has fallen to 14%, faced pressure as his Christian Democratic Union risked losing the Berlin mayor's office and failing to enter the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania parliament. The elections focused on issues like energy and housing costs, with the SPD leading in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the Left Party ahead in Berlin.