Germany: Polls open in two key state elections
Voting in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is expected to bring gains for the far-right AfD party and could determine whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz can hold on to power. Follow DW live.
Voters flocked to polling stations in Germany as elections for two key state parliaments got underway. The polls offered a snapshot of the political landscape, with the Social Democrats (SPD) leading in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) polling high at around 37%. SPD candidate Manuela Schwesig vowed to thwart the AfD's rise, warning of potential economic and social harm.
The CDU, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is struggling in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, polling at just 7%. The CDU faces a tough challenge to secure the 5% threshold needed to enter state parliament. In Berlin, the race is tied between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Left Party, while the AfD consistently ranks third.
Housing and rental costs have emerged as top concerns for Berlin voters, with the city struggling to meet its housing needs. Chancellor Merz's popularity has taken a significant hit, especially following recent state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD outperformed the CDU.
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