Friedrich Merz vows to stay in office after CDU ‘disaster’ in German state elections
CDU leader Friedrich Merz announced he will remain in his position despite the party’s poor performance in recent German state elections. The far‑right Alternative for Germany secured a win in Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania, while the leftist Die Linke is poised to win in Berlin. Merz said the results will not alter his leadership plan in the near term.