After exit polls in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania showed the
far‑right leading in the state vote, Chancellor Merz said the result was a
disaster for his CDU, signaling falling public trust in state institutions and
introducing new challenges and uncertainty. He said Germany cannot return to the
past and must change; he accepted responsibility and said, as party leader and
chancellor, he is prepared to push the country forward, which will require
resolve, steadiness and patience.
