Germans vote in state polls risking blow to Chancellor Merz

BERLIN

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Voters in two German states cast ballots in regional elections on Sept. 20 threatening to weaken Chancellor Friedrich Merz following his party's recent losses to far-right rivals.

Merz scheduled a crisis meeting with his center-right Christian Democratic Union leadership to review results from Berlin and the northeastern coastal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The 70-year-old chancellor also canceled his trip to the United Nations General Assembly to manage potential political fallout.

The state elections follow a major defeat for the CDU two weeks ago in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany fell just a few seats short of an absolute majority. Polls indicate the AfD will make additional gains in the latest round of voting.

The AfD polled at 36 percent against the center-left Social Democratic Party's 37 percent in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where popular state premier Manuela Schwesig leads the SPD, according to public broadcaster ZDF. The CDU polled at 6 percent in the state, risking a drop below the 5 percent threshold required for parliamentary representation.

The CDU faces a tight race in the city-state of Berlin against the far-left Die Linke party. Die Linke campaigns on solving a housing crisis and advocates closer ties with Moscow.

Eight CDU state premiers released a joint declaration Wednesday saying the country needs "stability now more than ever" rather than debates over personnel. Pollster Roland Abold said Merz faces a difficult political environment.

"In our last survey in September, 13 percent were still satisfied with his political performance," Abold said. "These are the lowest figures we have ever recorded for an incumbent chancellor."

Merz took office 16 months ago pledging to stimulate the economy, rebuild the military and reduce irregular immigration. His administration currently struggles with surging energy prices driven by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Berenberg bank chief economist Holger Schmieding said voters tend to blame the ruling coalition for economic difficulties rather than opposition parties. Schmieding predicted Merz will likely survive the current political challenges and serve his term until 2029.