Merz refuses to resign after CDU's crushing election defeat

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clearly stated on Sunday that he does not intend to resign, despite his Christian Democrats (CDU) suffering a historic defeat in state elections. The 70-year-old chancellor emphasized that his government remains committed to fulfilling Germany's historical responsibility and safeguarding its democratic future.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU failed to win seats in the regional parliament for the first time in the party's 81-year history. The far-right, eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) won decisively there with 38.2% of the vote, just two weeks after a similarly strong AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt.

The CDU also suffered a setback in Berlin's House of Representatives election, garnering only 18.8% of the vote, while the Left party won with 25.7%.

Chancellor rejects personal blame

Merz pushed back against claims that his own low approval ratings were to blame for the losses, arguing the results reflect deeper shifts in party political systems both in Germany and around the world. Seeking to quell speculation that his own CDU/CSU bloc might try to oust him, Merz addressed the nation on television just minutes after initial exit polls were released. He acknowledged the results were a disaster for the CDU but vowed to press on with his agenda with "firmness, resolve and patience."

The chancellor has cleared his schedule for the coming days and canceled plans to attend the UN General Assembly session in New York.

Coalition tensions

Since taking office last May, Merz pledged to revive the economy, rebuild the armed forces and curb illegal immigration, but his personal approval rating hovers just above 10%, and reforms have progressed slowly. The election losses are expected to increase friction with coalition partner SPD — Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil affirmed his party's commitment to the coalition but called for open debate on the direction of reforms, saying the current approach cannot continue as before.