German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has suffered major state election defeats, with his CDU party recording a historic low of 5 per cent in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The anti-migration Alternative for Germany party made significant gains across both Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin.
Merz described the election results as a disaster but refused to resign, pledging to press ahead with tough economic reforms.
Opposition leaders and critics within his party have called for Merz to step down following consecutive political setbacks.
The chancellor has cancelled a planned trip to the UN General Assembly in New York to manage the political fallout at home.
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Germany’s Merz vows to press on with reforms after historic state election defeat
