German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to stay in office despite preliminary results indicating a disastrous performance for his centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in two state elections. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the CDU narrowly avoided exclusion from parliament with its worst-ever result, while the far-right AfD emerged as the top vote-getter. In Berlin, the CDU was expected to lose to the left-wing Die Linke. Merz described the outcomes as a 'disaster' for his party but insisted he would continue pushing for economic reforms.

The results have intensified pressure on Merz, who has faced declining approval ratings and speculation about his potential replacement. The CDU's poor showing follows a major defeat in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD won 44% of the vote. Merz, a former corporate lawyer, has adopted a hardline stance on immigration, which has failed to curb AfD support and alienated left-leaning voters. His coalition government, which includes the centre-left SPD, has struggled to deliver on promises to revive the German economy and reduce AfD influence.

Merz's supporters, including eight German state leaders, have defended his leadership, arguing that many of the country's challenges are inherited from previous administrations. Burkard Dregger, a CDU senator in Berlin, told the BBC that Merz needed to be given time to implement reforms, emphasizing that 'we don't have time to waste to form new government in the federal level.' However, Merz's unpopularity remains a significant obstacle, with only one in 10 Germans expressing satisfaction with his performance.

The AfD's surge has raised concerns about the stability of Germany's political landscape. The party, which advocates for leaving the euro and ending support for Ukraine, has become the largest opposition force in parliament and leads national opinion polls with about 30% support. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla mocked Merz, calling on him to resign after the election results. The CDU's defeat in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a region historically associated with Angela Merkel, has further embarrassed Merz, who has only been chancellor for 16 months.

The final election results are expected later on Sunday or Monday, with the AfD likely to remain out of power in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern due to a non-cooperation agreement among other parties. In Berlin, the CDU's loss to Die Linke could lead to the first Turkish-origin leader of the capital. The AfD's rise has also raised fears of a broader shift toward far-right politics in Europe, as similar parties prepare for elections in France, Italy, Spain, and Poland. Germany's constitution requires a ruling majority to replace a chancellor, and any attempt to remove Merz would face significant hurdles.

What remains unknown is the final outcome of the elections and whether Merz will be able to retain his position. The CDU's performance in these state races will likely influence its prospects in the 2029 national election, where Merz could seek re-election. The AfD's growing influence poses a challenge to Germany's political stability, and Merz's ability to navigate this crisis will determine the future of his leadership.