The Left pushes for social-democratic reforms in Europe, balancing anti-austerity stances with pragmatic policy moves.
The AfD has surged in Saxony-Anhalt, threatening to win an outright majority in the state election. CDU trails and coalition dynamics loom as parties weigh their options in the wake of a results shock that could reshape Germany’s political landscape.
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.
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.