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Merz vows to stay chancellor after CDU falls 4.9%

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 6:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Merz Stays Chancellor

Friedrich Merz said he will stay chancellor despite the CDU’s poor state election result.
The CDU earned 4.9% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, missing the 5% entry threshold.
That would expel the CDU from the regional assembly for the first time since World War II.
Alternative for Germany won the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania vote with 38.2%.
The Social Democrats finished second in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania election.

Summary

Weidel Seeks Coalition

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CDU leader Friedrich Merz announced income-tax cuts, a pension overhaul and bureaucracy reduction.
The reforms will raise drug and dental-prosthetic prices and cut family insurance coverage.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel said the party eventually wants coalition talks with the CDU.

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Merz Stays Chancellor

Friedrich Merz said he will stay chancellor despite the CDU’s poor state election result.
The CDU earned 4.9% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, missing the 5% entry threshold.
That would expel the CDU from the regional assembly for the first time since World War II.
Alternative for Germany won the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania vote with 38.2%.
The Social Democrats finished second in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania election.

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