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CDU Suffers Three State Election Losses, Losing Threshold

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 2:49 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces mounting pressure after three state election defeats.
The CDU earned 4.9% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, missing the 5% entry threshold.
In Berlin, the CDU fell to 18.8%, a 9.5-point loss from 2023.
SPD Minister-President Manuela Schwesig and the AfD outpolled the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt.
The SPD urged pension, health and social-care reforms, threatening to withhold budget support.

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Story summary

Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces mounting pressure after three state election defeats.
The CDU earned 4.9% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, missing the 5% entry threshold.
In Berlin, the CDU fell to 18.8%, a 9.5-point loss from 2023.
SPD Minister-President Manuela Schwesig and the AfD outpolled the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt.
The SPD urged pension, health and social-care reforms, threatening to withhold budget support.