{
  "id": 8729826,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T16:34:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/09/20/german-exit-polls-show-merzs-party-suffering-heavy-losses-in-2-german-state-elections"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is expected to face significant losses in two recent German state elections, according to exit polls. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a rural state in the country's formerly communist east, CDU's support is projected to drop to an all-time low of 5.5%, the worst result since World War II. In Berlin, CDU is predicted to come in second with 20% of the vote, behind the Left party which is expected to secure 24.5%.\n\nThe Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made substantial gains in both elections, suggesting it has the potential to form the first far-right regional government in Germany since the end of World War II. This comes two weeks after AfD narrowly missed a majority in the small eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. Merz, who assumed leadership of Germany 16 months ago with promises to revitalize the struggling economy, has failed to boost national spirits and has become increasingly unpopular. Despite the AfD's strong performance, there have been calls within Merz's own party to replace him as chancellor, but no top-level allies have publicly demanded his resignation. Reports suggest that many within the party are wary of \"personnel debates.\" In light of these developments, Merz decided to halt a planned trip to New York next week, where he was scheduled to attend the U.N. General Assembly. Following the exit polls, Merz stated that he will remain as CDU leader and Chancellor until the end of his term.",
  "summary": "Merz’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union is projected to fall to 5.5% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. That would be its worst result there since World War II. The CDU is projected to come in second with 20%, behind the Left party at 24.5%, according to the exit poll by public broadcaster ARD",
  "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": "France 24",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-09-20T14:56:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}