Elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg, Chancellor Merz under pressure, results expected to determine whether he stays in power

Today, German voters are heading to polling stations for elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, in a contest expected to increase political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. and are scheduled to remain open until 6 p.m. In the capital, around 2.5 million people are eligible to vote for the House of Representatives, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, around 1.3 million are eligible to vote for parliament.

The elections come just two weeks after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a sweeping victory in Saxony-Anhalt, securing around 44% of the vote—the highest ever in a state election—and significantly strengthening its position in eastern Germany.

Regional elections do not usually attract much international attention. This time, however, the result is seen as a major test for Merz’s government, as the AfD appears particularly strong and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is facing problems in both states.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the electoral battle is between the Social Democrats (SPD), led by the popular Manuela Schwesig, and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The 52-year-old has made it her mission to prevent the AfD’s advance, with the party polling at around 37%, ahead of the SPD at 33%.

In Berlin, the campaign so far has been dominated by a battle between the far-left Left Party and Chancellor Merz’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The two parties are neck and neck, according to polls. The outcome of both elections could also have consequences at the national level.