The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has admitted the "disaster" harvested by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the regional elections of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, although he has reiterated his determination to maintain his questioned package of political reforms.
"We cannot soften the result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is a disaster," Merz stated in a public appearance after the exit polls were known in this northeastern German region, where the CDU faces the possibility of being left out of the regional parliament.
"The CDU has fought, but in the end, it has been clearly defeated by the polarization between the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany) and AfD," Alternative for Germany, he argued, acknowledging the strong setback of his party.
For Merz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has transformed into "a very complicated state." "Our economy is in the midst of deep turmoil and the tone and interactions in our society are harsher and less reconcilable," he suggested, linking the electoral setback to the social and economic climate.
The conservative leader has warned of the "sinking" of "trust in institutions" as a consequence of an "active attack by radical left and right parties." "In Germany and across Europe, we need to rethink from the ground up freedom, day-to-day security, peace, and our own strengths and weaknesses," he proposed, before warning of "very concrete threats."
The chancellor has reiterated his "intention" to "move our country forward" because "there are reforms that cannot be postponed." "I am firmly convinced that the success of our reforms not only improves our coexistence but also our self-concept and our image abroad. Germany can change," he proposed. However, he emphasized that for this turnaround, "strength of character, firmness, and patience" are needed and also called for "time."
"Our country has to be once again the land of new beginnings," he appealed, mentioning the "social elevator" and the "prosperity" to which, he emphasized, young people must also be able to access, "especially the young."
SCHWESIG CALLS FOR MORE "HUMILITY"
The leader of the SPD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Manuela Schwesig, now turned into one of the most relevant figures of the social democrats, has declared herself "very irritated" and has criticized Merz's reaction to the regional results, demanding "more humility" from him.
"I am very irritated. I think it would be more appropriate for the chancellor to have more humility," Schwesig stated in remarks to German public television, referring to the collapse of the CDU.
"Why? When I see how poorly the CDU has fared here, a party with which I myself have collaborated for many years, the chancellor and the federal government as a whole should be asking themselves what they need to change," she argued. She also urged to "not underestimate" AfD because, if the course is not corrected, "AfD will become stronger everywhere," she warned.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, AfD has gained 21.6 points, reaching 38.3%, placing it slightly ahead of Schwesig's SPD, which obtains 35.4% of the votes, 4.2 points less than in 2021, according to the latest projection published by German television.
Far behind, La Izquierda appears as the third force, achieving 6.5% support, 3.4 points less, while Los Verdes would remain with 5.5%, 0.8 points less. The CDU obtains 4.9%, 8.4 points less, the same figure as BSW (4.9%), also at 5%.
AfD has celebrated the "sensational result" in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the words of its co-leader Tino Chrupalla, who believes they have "clearly a mandate to govern" and has expressed his willingness to "dialogue with all parties."
Meanwhile, the other co-leader of AfD, Alice Weidel, has emphasized the failure of "the leftist policies" of CDU-SPD and has defended opening talks with forces like the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance. "If there are common points, we can do it. Even a minority government. As far as I'm concerned, it's totally open," she stated on the ARD network.