Germany’s Merz admits ‘disaster’ in state elections, vows to press ahead with reforms

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday described his CDU party's heavy losses in two regional elections as a "disaster", but vowed to push ahead with a reform drive. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party took first place in ​the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, exit polls showed, and also gained in strength in another election in Berlin.