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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to preserve his ruling coalition with the SPD following heavy setbacks in state elections, framing the partnership as essential for the country’s democratic stability. According to France 24, Merz stated at a press conference that the CDU and SPD were determined to live up to historic responsibilities. “We are determined to live up to the historic responsibilities our country is facing,” Merz said. “It is about nothing less, and nothing more, than the democratic future of our country.” The chancellor thanked the SPD for its commitment to the alliance and ruled out any debate over his leadership position.
Merz described the outcome in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a disaster for his CDU, which fell below the five-percent threshold and was ejected from the state parliament for the first time since its founding in 1945. Reuters reported that the far-right Alternative for Germany secured first place in the northeastern state with 38 percent of the vote. This result followed a similar AfD triumph in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier, underscoring the party’s growing momentum in eastern Germany. A Reuters assessment found that the AfD views these wins as building toward national influence.
In simultaneous voting in Berlin, the hard-left Die Linke took the largest share of seats and appeared poised to lead a new coalition that could displace the CDU from the mayor’s office. The Guardian noted that Merz’s party also recorded its worst performance there in recent memory, with the AfD achieving its strongest result ever in the capital. These back-to-back defeats mark the third regional loss for the CDU in September, intensifying internal and coalition pressures on the chancellor who has held office for just 16 months.
The SPD signaled it would remain in the federal coalition but demanded adjustments to Merz’s planned economic and social welfare reforms. France 24 reported that SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil said the party could not continue as in recent months and would enter discussions seeking changes. Merz indicated he would meet with SPD leaders to align on future cooperation while pressing ahead with tax, pension and other measures aimed at reviving growth in Europe’s largest economy.
Earlier in the week, eight CDU state premiers issued a joint statement backing Merz and rejecting any leadership challenge, according to Reuters. The premiers emphasized the need for a stable federal government with a parliamentary majority and warned against minority rule or early elections. They also reaffirmed the CDU’s refusal to cooperate with either the AfD or Die Linke, positioning the party as central to coalition democracy in Germany.
Merz has repeatedly stated his intention to implement the reforms despite the electoral backlash, telling reporters that the government owes voters answers to their concerns. A separate Reuters analysis warned that the erosion of the political center could complicate future governing alliances at both state and federal levels. The chancellor has maintained that his administration, elected for a full term, must focus on anchoring Germany firmly within the European Union and Western alliances amid external challenges.
