International
Major Blow for CDU in German State Elections, AfD Appears to Be Largest Party
The CDU, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, suffered a significant defeat in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state elections, with exit polls showing it barely clearing the 5% threshold after losing more than half its votes. The far-right AfD emerged as the leading party with 37% of the vote, while the SPD followed closely with 35.5%. In Berlin, Die Linke defeated the CDU to become the largest party with 24.5%, potentially making Elif Eralp the new mayor. Despite the losses and rising rumors of resignation, Merz refused to step down, calling the result a "disaster" but pledging to take responsibility through reforms.
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