Chancellor Friedrich Merz Under Pressure Ahead of German State Elections

Germans are voting Sunday in two state elections that could shake up the country's politics. The contests are happening in Berlin, Germany's capital city, and in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a mostly rural region in the former communist east. Many people expect the far-right Alternative for Germany party, known as the AfD, to win more votes. The results could make life harder for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany's top leader, as he tries to fix the country's struggling economy.

Just two weeks ago, the AfD nearly won an outright majority in a small eastern state called Saxony-Anhalt. That was the best result the party has ever gotten, and it shocked many Germans. People had believed that strong laws and education put in place after the Nazi era would keep extreme nationalist ideas from becoming popular again. The AfD supports strict limits on immigration and has friendly ties with Russia, making it controversial across Europe.

Chancellor Merz, who is 70 years old, took power about 16 months ago. He promised to turn around Germany's economy, which has barely grown in years. But so far, he has not been able to improve how most people feel about the country's future. His popularity has dropped sharply, and even some members of his own political party have suggested he should step down as chancellor.

The AfD is expected to gain more votes on Sunday, but experts say the party has little chance of actually taking control in Berlin or Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In Berlin, the AfD faces a crowded political field. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the current governor is a centre-left leader who is expected to put up a strong fight against the far-right party.

For Merz's centre-right Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, the outlook is not good. The party could lose the mayor's office in Berlin, which would be a big blow. Even worse, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU might fall below 5 percent of the vote — meaning it could win zero seats in that state's government for the first time ever.

Because of all this pressure, Merz cancelled a planned trip to New York, where world leaders were gathering for the United Nations General Assembly. He wanted to stay close to home during what is expected to be a difficult time after the votes are counted. Still, Merz has made it clear he is not giving up. He has said many times that he plans to stay in office and complete his full term as chancellor.