Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces pressure as German voters head to the polls

On Sunday, polling is underway in two German state elections where anticipated gains for the far-right AfD threaten to weaken Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s authority and slow down the progress of his economic policies across Europe’s largest economy.

The regional elections are underway in Berlin and in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania-a rural territory in the former communist east of Germany.

The voting comes just two weeks after the anti-migration and Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany which narrowly missed an absolute majority in the small eastern territory of Saxony-Anhalt setting the stage for further substantial gains for the AfD expected today. 

However, the party is strategically isolated in Berlin and faces far more formidable resistance from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s centre-left governor than it encountered from Merz’s party in Saxony-Anhalt.

Merz became Germany’s leader 16 months ago revitalizing an economy stagnant for years but has failed to lift a disaffected public mood and remains deeply unpopular himself. Despite the strong headwinds, Merz planned a trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly and committed to stay and finish his term as chancellor.