AfD Wins Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as Merz's Conservatives Crash to 5.5%
Exit polls put the AfD first in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 37%, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives fell to 5.5% in their worst state result since 1949.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has taken first place in state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, exit polls indicated on Sunday, extending its national momentum as conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz battles for his political survival.
The AfD was projected to win 37% in the northeastern state, ahead of the centre-left Social Democrats on 35.5%. Merz's conservatives trailed far behind on 5.5%, barely clearing the threshold needed to enter the state parliament, according to exit polls on ARD public television.
Despite the strong showing, the AfD is unlikely to enter government, as the other main parties have ruled out working with it.
If confirmed, the result would be the worst in any state election for Merz's party since 1949. It would also mark another first-place finish at state level within a month for the AfD, which is shunned by mainstream parties but leads national opinion polls.
In a separate election held the same day in the capital, Berlin, the far-left Linke party was on 24.5%, Merz's conservatives on 20%, and the AfD also gained ground, reaching 16%.
Sunday's results may not prove a knockout blow for Merz, who received backing from eight conservative state premiers last week. But his low approval ratings, unpopular reforms and the AfD's earlier triumph in Saxony-Anhalt have left his future in the balance. Merz has called a party meeting for Sunday to discuss the way forward.