Merz Vows to Stay as AfD Surges in State Elections

Friedrich Merz spoke at CDU headquarters in Berlin shortly after ARD projections on September 20, 2026. Exit polls showed the CDU at roughly 5% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, its worst state result since World War II. AfD led with about 37% to 38% ahead of the SPD at 35.5%. In Berlin the CDU was at about 20% behind the Left Party at 24.5% to 26%, AfD at 15.7%. Merz called it a disaster and said the party was ground down by SPD-AfD polarization. He vowed to stay chancellor and party chair, saying the work requires backbone, steadfastness and patience. He is 70, 16 months into the job, and cancelled his UN trip to New York. Tino Chrupalla told ZDF Merz's statement was more than feeble and he should resign. This followed AfD's Saxony-Anhalt win on September 6. CDU calls over two weeks sought his replacement without top allies publicly demanding it. CONTESTED: AA gives 5.3% CDU and 37.3% AfD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania against rounded 5% and 37-38% elsewhere; Berlin Left Party figures vary 24.5-26%. Merz called reforms the antidote to authoritarianism while Chrupalla urged resignation. The path for Merz's reform agenda after these results remains open.