AfD threatens fresh blow to Merz: Two German states hold key vote

Two German states, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, are holding elections. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is expected to make gains, following a historic win in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks ago, according to France 24.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the center-right CDU party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz is not a contender, with the center-left SPD and far-right AfD vying for position, as reported by Le Monde English. In Berlin, Merz's party trails the radical left in polls, also according to Le Monde English. The AfD is seen as unlikely to win either election, but its performance will be a test for Merz, with RTE News and The Times of Israel noting that his future has been under scrutiny since the AfD's previous triumph.

The elections may heap more pressure on Merz, who has been struggling, as reported by RTE News. The far-left Eralp is leading in the Berlin mayoral poll, according to The Times of Israel.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, RTE News, The Times of Israel, Le Monde English, Japan Times — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.