🇩🇪 Germany: Two State Elections Put Merz Government Under Pressure

German voters are going to the polls today, September 20, 2026, in two state elections — Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The votes are being closely watched because of their potential implications for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the growing support for the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The elections follow the September 6 vote in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD came close to securing an absolute majority. Reuters reports that the result increased pressure on Merz and intensified debate over Germany's long-standing refusal by major parties to form governing coalitions with the AfD. Berlin Berlin's election is particularly significant because the capital is currently governed by a CDU-SPD coalition. Polling before the vote showed a competitive field involving the CDU, SPD, Greens, Left Party and AfD. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the AfD has made significant gains in recent years. The CDU is also facing pressure, while the SPD remains competitive in the state. Reuters reports that the AfD is not expected to repeat its Saxony-Anhalt result, but its level of support remains an important feature of the election. Why it matters The two elections are being watched beyond state politics because they could provide another indication of the political pressures facing Merz's federal government, particularly over the economy, energy costs, migration and the rise of the AfD. Germany's Bundestag confirms that Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are both scheduled to hold state elections on September 20, 2026. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/merz-under-pressure-two-more-german-states-go-polls-2026-09-20