On September 20, 2026, in the elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the 'Alternative for Germany' (AfD) party received 37% of the votes, placing it in the lead according to exit polls. The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) garnered 35.5%, indicating a tight competition between these political forces.
Election Results in Berlin
In the Berlin elections, according to ARD exit polls, the 'Left' party leads with 24.5% of the votes, followed by the CDU led by Friedrich Merz with 20% and AfD with 16%. If these results are confirmed, it could significantly alter the political landscape in the German capital, which has been governed by a CDU-SPD coalition since 2023.
Political Consequences for the CDU
The election results were catastrophic for the CDU, which received only 5.5% of the votes, marking the worst outcome for conservatives in regional elections since 1949. Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled these results a disaster, increasing political pressure on his party. Meanwhile, despite the victory, the AfD is unlikely to form a government as other major parties refuse to enter into a coalition with them.
Growing Influence of the AfD
This victory is the second consecutive win for the AfD in regional elections, following their approximately 44% vote share in Saxony-Anhalt. According to the September ARD-DeutschlandTrend poll, the AfD has 27% support at the federal level, making it the largest party in this survey. The party opposes military aid to Ukraine and advocates for lifting sanctions against Russia, which could impact Berlin's foreign policy.