German politician, Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
European governments, led by Germany, have moved to cut energy taxes and cap fuel prices ahead of elections as oil markets stay volatile amid Middle East tensions. The steps aim to ease consumer burden while lawmakers debate windfall taxes on oil majors.
Regional ballots in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have shown heavy losses for Friedrich Merz’s CDU and strong gains for the far-right AfD, following the AfD’s landslide in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier. Merz has cancelled travel, called a CDU leadership meeting and cleared his calendar as party figures warn the results will increase pressure on his leadership today, 20 Sep 2026.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin vote results show the CDU under pressure as AfD gains momentum. Merz faces calls to resign as the party struggles with coalition prospects in a changing political landscape ahead of federal elections in 2029.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to press ahead with reforms after two state election losses, including a historic CDU setback in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The AfD leads nationally, while Berlin sees a left-wing surge and CDU underperforms in Saxony-Anhalt's aftermath. Merz pledges backbone and patience.
The CDU has suffered a stinging setback in two regional elections, with Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern shifting away from Chancellor Merz’s leadership. Merz vows to press ahead with reforms as coalition partners question details and support remains precarious ahead of next year’s state elections.