梅尔茨在州选举惨败后誓言继续执政

德国总理弗里德里希·梅尔茨所领导的基督教民主联盟（CDU）在近期州选举中遭遇重大挫折。12在梅克伦堡-前波美拉尼亚州的选举中，CDU仅获得4.9%的选票，2创造了该党77年来首次未能进入某州议会的纪录。2该州曾是前总理安格拉·默克尔的家乡。2在柏林州，CDU也位居第二，被左翼党超越。7

相比之下，反移民的极右翼政党德国选择党（AfD）在梅克伦堡-前波美拉尼亚州获得了38%的支持率，5在两个州成为最大政治派系。6

尽管面临严峻压力，梅尔茨坚持留任总理职位。2他在选举后进行电视讲话，称结果为"灾难"，34但誓言维持执政联盟。梅尔茨表示："我们决心应对国家面临的历史性挑战"。7他承诺继续推进经济复苏和改革议程，包括税收、福利和经济改革。56

梅尔茨的政治处境日益危险。其支持率仅为13%，创德国民调开始以来的历史新低，6且他在政府中任职仅16个月。6AfD党共同领导人爱丽丝·魏德尔表示梅尔茨"很快就会离开"。7梅尔茨在周一与CDU领导层举行会议以巩固党内支持，5虽然八个州的区域领导人表示支持，但其持续性仍存疑问。5

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces mounting pressure on his leadership following his Christian Democratic Union's (CDU) poor performance in recent state elections.1 The CDU suffered significant losses across multiple contests, most dramatically in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the party secured only 4.9 percent of the vote,2 marking its first failure to enter a state parliament in 77 years.2 This state holds particular symbolic weight as the former home region of former Chancellor Angela Merkel.2 In Berlin, the CDU finished second, trailing the left-wing Die Linke party.7 The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as the principal beneficiary, capturing 38 percent support in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania5 and becoming the strongest political force in two states.6

Despite the electoral setback, Merz has declared his determination to remain in office. He characterized the results as a "disaster"34 but pledged to continue his economic recovery agenda.3 Merz stated: "We are determined to meet the historic challenges facing our nation"7 and emphasized that maintaining the governing coalition is essential for Germany's "democratic future".7 The chancellor acknowledged the results as a "heavy blow"7 but denied that his personal popularity decline was responsible for the defeat.7 His political position has become increasingly precarious, with his personal approval rating at just 13 percent, the lowest in German polling history.6 He has served as chancellor for only 16 months.6

Internal party pressures are mounting. Merz convened CDU leadership on Monday following the elections to shore up support.5 While regional leaders from eight CDU-governed states expressed backing for him, questions remain about the durability of that support.5 Opposition figures have openly questioned his tenure: AfD co-leader Alice Weidel told the BBC that "he will soon be gone",7 and fellow party leader Leif-Erik Holm predicted Merz would "not remain chancellor by year's end".5 Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil of the Social Democrats suggested the reform agenda requires recalibration in light of voter sentiment.5 Merz's political crisis carries broader implications, as Germany is the European Union's largest economy and a critical supporter of Ukraine.6