Politics
Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania vote as pressure builds on Chancellor Friedrich Merz
September 20, 2026 at 06:59 AM · Updated 26d ago
Coverage
4 reports · 1 in Arabic, 3 in English · over 6 hours
BNBBC News
German elections under way which could decide fate of Chancellor Merz
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AJAl Jazeera Arabic
المستشار الألماني يواجه يوما انتخابيا عسيرا بعد هزيمة سكسونيا أنهالت
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AJAl Jazeera English
Germany’s Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania states head to polls
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TGThe Guardian
Future of German chancellor hangs in the balance as two states go to polls
(opens the publisher’s site)Voters in two German states head to the polls Sunday after the far-right AfD defeated Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union in Saxony-Anhalt.
- About 3.8 million people are eligible to vote across Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with polling booths open from 8am to 6pm.
- The AfD won Saxony-Anhalt two weeks ago, falling just short of an absolute majority that would have allowed it to govern alone.
- Merz cancelled a planned UN General Assembly appearance, a government official saying his presence was required in Berlin after the elections.
- Merz said the coalition was elected for four years and he intends to use that time to lead Germany through its difficult period.
- The CDU fears further decline in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, hovering near the 5% threshold needed to enter the state parliament.
- Merz may lose the Berlin mayoralty to The Left party when voters head to the polls on Sunday.