Chancellor Merz Defies Defeats
Germany's chancellor rejects resigning after CDU losses and AfD gains in state votes.
September 20, 2026 · Updated Sep 20, 4:36pm ET
CNNChancellor Merz calls Germany state elections results a “disaster,” as far-right surge again
CNBCMerz vows to press ahead with reforms after historic German state election defeat
New York PostGerman leader’s party gets worst election result since 1949 — as another state votes for AfD
The GuardianFriedrich Merz vows to stay in office after CDU ‘disaster’ in German state elections
BBC NewsGerman state elections: Chancellor Friedrich Merz vows to stay on despite 'disaster' in polls
The Gateway PunditDEVELOPING: German Election Exit Polls Show Rightwing AfD Ahead of Ruling SPD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Coming in Third in Berlin – Merz REFUSES TO RESIGN Despite Two Humiliating Defeats
PBS NewsHourMerz vows to press ahead with reforms after party's historic defeat in 2 German state elections
BloombergMerz Party Has Worst State Result in Postwar German History
Breitbart NewsGermany's AfD Projected to Win Second State Election This Month
NPRGermany's Merz vows to press ahead with reforms after historic state election defeat
CBS NewsGermany's Merz defiant after historic state elections defeat, vows to press ahead with reforms
NewsweekMerz vows to stay as far-right AfD extends winning streak in Germany
25%
Left · 3
50%
Center · 6
25%
Right · 3
Pano rates the coverage Balanced.
What happened
The AfD won Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in exit polls and projections, taking about 38% and placing first in a second state election in less than a month. Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Friedrich MerzGerman politician, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany’s CDU suffered a major setback, hovering near the 5% threshold needed to enter the state parliament. In Berlin, projections put the Left ahead, with the CDU second and the AfD third on a double-digit share. The results deepened pressure on Merz after another AfD surge in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier. Other parties still refused to cooperate with the AfD, limiting its path to power. Merz called the outcome a “disaster” but said he would stay on. Final seat allocations were pending.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets framed the vote as a leadership crisis for Merz, while stressing the far-right threat around the AfD. CNN cast the result as more pressure on his already weakened leadership. The Guardian emphasized his defiance and his vow to stay in office. CNN also highlighted pressure on the CDU from both the AfD and the left.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets led with AfD momentum, treating Merz’s problems as the political consequence rather than the whole story. The New York Post centered the AfD’s state-level breakthrough as evidence of growing force. The Gateway Pundit cast Merz’s refusal to resign as defiance after “humiliating defeats”. The New York Post also noted the party’s governing limits.
AfD Eastern Germany Elections
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Sep 21Chancellor Merz Faces UnrestMostly Left
- Sep 20Chancellor Merz Defies Defeats (this story)Balanced
- Sep 9Chancellor Merz Denounces AfD WinMostly Left
- Sep 8AfD Wins Thuringia VoteMostly Right
- Sep 7AfD Wins Saxony-AnhaltBalanced
