Merz refuses to step down as German chancellor after regional election defeat

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday he has no intention of resigning, despite a severe defeat for his conservative bloc in Sunday's regional elections. The 70-year-old chancellor stressed that the ruling coalition would stay united for the sake of the country's "democratic future" and that the government must live up to its historical responsibility.

Historic setback for the CDU

Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) failed to win any seats in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state parliament for the first time in the party's 81-year history. The far-right, eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) won that election with 38.2% of the vote, following a similarly strong AfD showing in the recent Saxony-Anhalt election.

The CDU also suffered a defeat in Berlin's House of Representatives election, taking just 18.8% of the vote, while the Left party won with 25.7% support.

Merz rejects personal blame

The chancellor pushed back against suggestions that his own low approval ratings were behind the election losses, saying the results reflect broader shifts in party systems both in Germany and around the world. Seeking to quell speculation about a possible move to unseat him, Merz addressed the nation on television just minutes after the first exit polls were released on Sunday, pledging to lead with "firmness, resolve and patience."

Given the turbulent post-election period ahead, the chancellor has cleared his schedule for the coming days and cancelled a planned trip to New York for the UN General Assembly.

Coalition tensions

Since taking office last May, Merz has pledged to revive the economy, rebuild the armed forces and curb illegal immigration, but his approval rating remains just above 10% and reforms have moved slowly. The election defeat is likely to heighten friction with coalition partner the Social Democrats (SPD), whose leaders — including Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil — have affirmed their commitment to the coalition while calling for open discussions on the direction of future reforms.