Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Die Linke took the lead in separate German state elections Sunday, according to exit poll projections. The far-right AfD is on course to win Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 37%, narrowly beating the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at 35.5%. In Berlin, the far-left Die Linke is projected to finish first with 24.5%, ahead of the CDU at 20%. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU recorded 5.5% in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania vote, a figure Merz termed a "catastrophe" and a "disaster."

Merz stated he will not resign as federal chancellor despite the results, calling for "backbone, steadfastness and patience" to handle Germany's political transition. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the SPD lead candidate Manuela Schwesig is expected to have enough support to build a coalition to prevent an AfD government. In Berlin, the lead for Die Linke's candidate Elif Eralp could end the CDU's control of the mayor's office. AfD leader Alice Weidel claimed the party has overtaken the CDU to become the "new people's party in Germany."