Merz Calls State Election Results a Disaster

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Sunday's state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a "disaster" for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He took responsibility for the results and promised that, as CDU chairman and chancellor, he would accelerate reforms to move Germany forward.

In his speech, he also said the state has become too complex, trust in state institutions is declining and the country cannot return to the "good old days". He added that Germany must be a country of new beginnings and emphasized that change brings challenges and new uncertainties.

"I need resolve, steadfastness and patience. I am ready to do that as party leader, chancellor", Merz said.

An exit poll for the public broadcaster ARD showed that Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 37% of the vote in Sunday's state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while the ruling center-left Social Democrats received 35.5%.

Merz's CDU fell to 5.5% of the vote, its worst result in any state election since 1949.

(Reuters)