The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania race is also a key test for center-right Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as speculation grows that party insiders could move to replace him if the party collapses again in a regional election.
His CDU won only 5.5% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania — the worst outcome for his party in any regional or national election since the end of World War II.
In Berlin, Die Linke, or the Left party, is on course to finish first with 24.5%, according to the ARD exit poll, ahead of Merz’s CDU on 20%, which currently controls the mayor’s office in the capital.