By Benson Daniel
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing growing political pressure ahead of two important state elections on Sunday, September 20, following a major setback for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month.
The upcoming elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are being closely watched because further losses for the CDU could intensify debate within the party over Merz’s leadership and the direction of his government.
The pressure follows the CDU’s poor performance in Saxony-Anhalt, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as the largest party with nearly 44% of the vote but fell short of an outright majority in the state legislature. Merz subsequently rejected calls for his resignation and said he would continue with his government’s reform programme.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU faces the possibility of falling below the 5% threshold required to enter the state parliament. Recent polling has placed the AfD and the governing Social Democratic Party (SPD) in a close contest, while the CDU has been polling well below the two leading parties.
The election is also significant because the SPD’s state premier, Manuela Schwesig, remains considerably more popular in the state than the federal government. Her administration has sought to distinguish its approach from that of the coalition government in Berlin.
In Berlin, the CDU is also facing a difficult contest as voters prepare to elect a new state parliament. The party currently holds the mayoralty, but its position has come under pressure amid wider dissatisfaction with the federal government and the growing strength of the AfD.
Merz’s political difficulties extend beyond the regional elections. His approval ratings have fallen sharply, while Germany continues to face economic challenges and concerns over the pace of promised reforms. The weakening of public support has contributed to growing disagreements within the conservative camp.
Merz has responded by seeking to reinforce party unity. He cancelled plans to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, with his government indicating that his presence was needed in Berlin. Several CDU state premiers have also publicly expressed support for him.
The German chancellor’s position is not determined directly by state election results. However, significant losses for the CDU could increase pressure from within the party and potentially affect the stability of his governing coalition.
Germany’s federal government is currently led by a coalition between Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance and the Social Democratic Party. The coalition holds only a relatively narrow majority in the Bundestag, making internal party cohesion particularly important for advancing legislation and economic reforms.
The elections will also provide another test of the AfD’s growing influence in German politics. Following its strong showing in Saxony-Anhalt, the party is seeking further gains in the eastern states, while the established parties continue to reject cooperation with it at the governing level.
The results on Sunday will therefore be closely examined not only for their impact on the two state governments but also for what they reveal about public confidence in Merz’s federal administration and the balance of political forces ahead of Germany’s next federal election.
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