AfD wins Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as CDU drops out and Merz rejects resignation

State election results in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

In the regional election held on 20 September 2026 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured the largest vote share with 38.2%, obtaining 32 seats in the state parliament in Schwerin. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) placed second with 35.5% and 29 seats. Die Linke won 6.5% and five seats, while the Greens took 5.7% and five seats. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) received 4.9%, falling below the five percent electoral threshold and exiting the state legislature for the first time in federal German history. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) also missed the threshold with 4.8%.

AfD38.2%

SPD35.5%

Die Linke6.5%

Greens5.7%

CDU4.9%

BSW4.8%

AfD

38.2 %

SPD

35.5 %

Die Linke

6.5 %

Greens

5.7 %

CDU

4.9 %

BSW

4.8 %

Data from the article text

Coalition options and Berlin results

Because the previous SPD and Die Linke coalition no longer holds a parliamentary majority in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the formation of a three-party government including the Greens is the most probable outcome. The Greens stated their willingness to participate in such an administration, leaving the AfD in opposition due to an absence of coalition partners.

AfD32

SPD29

Die Linke5

Greens5

AfD

32 seats

SPD

29 seats

Die Linke

5 seats

Greens

5 seats

Data from the article text

In Berlin, preliminary projections showed Die Linke, led by mayoral candidate Elif Eralp, winning first place with 25.8% of the vote. The CDU, led by candidate Stefan Evers, placed second with 20%, while the AfD reached 13.8%, gaining from the 9.1% it recorded in 2023. Eralp celebrated the outcome with party supporters.

“Dear Berliners, starting today we are changing our city. We have written a page of history. And the sign of love and justice has won over hatred.”

Federal reaction and party leadership

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed party members at the Konrad Adenauer House in Berlin following early exit polls. Merz acknowledged the party losses in both regional contests but rejected calls to step down from the chancellorship or the CDU leadership.

“I take responsibility and I would like to move the country forward.”

Merz stated on 21 September 2026 that the federal government will remain in place to guarantee democratic stability and promised to advance economic reforms. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel argued that the election totals warranted a leadership change in Berlin.

“Draw the consequences of the vote, for the good of Germany. We are now the strongest party in the country.”

Political reactions across parties

AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla called for dismantling the cordon sanitaire that mainstream parties maintain against governing with the far right. The victory in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern represents the AfD's second regional win in eastern Germany in September 2026, following Ulrich Sigmund's victory in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier. Sandro Gozi, a member of the European Parliament for Renew Europe and secretary general of the European Democratic Party, criticized Merz's political approach.

“Chasing the far right does not stop it, it legitimizes it. A reversed balance of power is created: the democratic center-right shrinks while the far right grows.”

Gozi warned that European People's Party leader Manfred Weber should avoid adopting similar political strategies at the European level in Brussels.