{
  "id": 8710010,
  "title": "AfD threatens fresh blow to Merz: Two German states hold key vote",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/afd-threatens-fresh-blow-to-merz-two-german-states-hold-key-vote",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T14:56:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "France 24",
    "slug": "france-24",
    "url": "https://www.france24.com/en/afd-threatens-fresh-blow-to-merz-two-german-states-hold-key-vote"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "German state elections threaten new shock waves for Merz",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/german-state-elections-threaten-new-shock-waves-for-merz",
        "published": "2026-09-20T02:23:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Merz under pressure as two more German states go to the polls",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/merz-under-pressure-as-two-more-german-states-go-to-the-polls",
        "published": "2026-09-20T04:10:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Merz under pressure as two more German states go to the polls",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/merz-under-pressure-as-two-more-german-states-go-to-the-polls-8621990",
        "published": "2026-09-20T05:53:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Merz faces key test as 2 German states hold elections with eyes on the far-right AfD",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/merz-faces-key-test-as-2-german-states-hold-elections-with-eyes-on",
        "published": "2026-09-20T06:53:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "German elections under way which could decide fate of Chancellor Merz",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/german-elections-under-way-which-could-decide-fate-of-chancellor-merz",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:57:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Germans vote in state elections threatening fresh blow to Merz",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/germans-vote-in-state-elections-threatening-fresh-blow-to-merz",
        "published": "2026-09-20T09:39:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Merz faces test in 2 German state elections; eyes on far-right AfD, far-left Berlin candidate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/merz-faces-test-in-2-german-state-elections-eyes-on-far-right-afd-far",
        "published": "2026-09-20T09:53:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "AfD tops German election, Merz declares 'disaster'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/afd-tops-german-election-merz-declares-disaster",
        "published": "2026-09-20T16:25:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "German exit polls show Merz’s party suffering heavy losses in 2 German state elections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/german-exit-polls-show-merzs-party-suffering-heavy-losses-in-2-german",
        "published": "2026-09-20T16:34:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}