The Alternative for Germany (AfD) won Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's state election with 38.2% of the vote, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU fell to 4.9% — below the 5% threshold for entering the state parliament and the party's worst state result since 1949 [2][6][11]. Die Linke's lead candidate Elif Eralp won Berlin with approximately 25% of the vote, positioning her to become the capital's first female mayor of immigrant background, while the AfD became Berlin's third party at around 16% [20][26][9]. The results follow an AfD first-place finish in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier, where the party took 43.8% of the vote [15][35].

Merz called the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania result a "disaster" that cannot be sugarcoated but rejected calls to resign, stating that his government was elected for four years and that his economic, tax, and welfare reform agenda is "the antidote to the authoritarian poison" penetrating society [1][6][19][29]. CDU politician Burkard Dregger backed Merz, saying the party does not have time to form a new federal government [19]. Marie-Christine Ostermann, president of the Family Entrepreneurs Association, warned that the government must not weaken its reform program out of panic [40].

Pollster Roland Abold described Merz's personal situation as "quite dramatic," noting that only 13% of respondents were satisfied with his political management [10]. Berenberg bank economist Holger Schmieding put the risk of a CDU revolt to replace Merz at roughly 35%, up from 20% ten days earlier, while still expecting him to serve out his term [8][10]. Political scientist Oliver Lembcke said Merz's early televised address was an attempt to "define the narrative" from a defensive position [5]. ING economist Carsten Brzeski described the address as an attempt to "choke off the speculation about his possible resignation" [5]. CDU candidate Martin Rohloff, asked whether Merz should go, answered yes, saying the chancellor lacks "Fingerspitzengefühl" — a feeling for ordinary people [4].

AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla declared that the party "clearly has a mandate to govern" in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and called on Merz to resign, calling it "a relief for the country" [6][20]. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel stated that the AfD "has reached the mainstream of the population" and is now Germany's strongest force, declaring the party's long-term goal of holding coalition talks with the CDU [19][26]. Florian Hartleb, a professor at Modul University Vienna, said the Saxony-Anhalt result was "a revolution for the German party system," citing voter dissatisfaction over migration, the economy, and social inequality [2]. Voters interviewed at polling stations cited living costs, housing, and dissatisfaction with traditional parties [3][11].

Foreign far-right leaders celebrated the AfD's advance, with their statements responding to the party's Saxony-Anhalt landslide. Viktor Orbán congratulated AfD leaders on that victory and called it "only the beginning" [38][43]. Matteo Salvini called it "a spectacular success" and rejected talk of danger [39]. Herbert Kickl of Austria's FPÖ said the AfD win marked the end of the cordon sanitaire [38]. Elon Musk commented "gut gemacht" (well done) [38][39]. Donald Trump shared a screenshot of the result on Truth Social without comment [38][39].

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said only "idiots and traitors" in his country would celebrate the AfD's success [38][43]. Paweł Szefernaker, head of the office of the President of Poland, said the AfD's pro-Russian agenda, including lifting sanctions on Russia, is "dangerous and unacceptable" for Poland [36]. French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad warned the AfD's regional victory marks a serious, tense moment for Europe [45]. Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said voters who chose the AfD carry responsibility for the outcome [38]. Leaders of the Turkish Community in Germany demanded better protection for people threatened by right-wing violence and called for maintaining the cordon sanitaire [38]. German judges and prosecutors called for laws on state prosecutors to be tightened to prevent "extremists in government" from steering criminal cases [32].

The Kyiv Independent, citing Reuters, reported that Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev and AfD leadership were preparing talks on resuming Russian gas deliveries to Germany [12][41][42]. Weidel promised to restore cheap Russian energy if the party takes power, arguing German industry was built on it [42]. German Green MP Michael Kellner warned that Germany must not repeat the mistakes of the energy crisis, which he said cost 50 billion euros, and said Putin is using the AfD for his purposes [42].

German industry and employer associations, reacting to the AfD's Saxony-Anhalt triumph, warned against isolationism. Steffen Kampeter, chief executive of the BDA employers' association, called the result "poison for Germany as a business location" and warned against questioning the euro and seeking closeness to Russia [40]. BDI chief executive Tanja Gönner said a possible AfD government sends a negative signal to Germany's export-oriented economy [40]. HDE president Alexander von Preen feared high damage if foreign skilled workers are deterred from coming to Germany [40]. DIHK president Peter Adrian said an "open, competitive Germany is the best answer" and demanded swift implementation of reforms [40].

SPD finance minister Lars Klingbeil called for humility and self-questioning, saying the government failed to convince voters of the merits of its planned reforms, especially on pensions [29]. Verdi trade union chairman Frank Werneke said he hoped Merz "realizes that he has screwed up" and called for a change of course on planned reforms, warning that an AfD federal government would be "a catastrophe" [6][20]. Manuela Schwesig, the SPD state premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania who campaigned as the "Die Frau gegen Blau" (The Woman against Blue), celebrated her party's comeback and committed to forming a stable democratic government [4][24][26].

Eralp framed her Berlin victory as "love and justice triumphing over hatred" and pledged rent caps, social housing, and a refugee-friendly city [2][22][26]. Green party representative Nina Stahr called for a progressive alliance with the SPD and Die Linke to govern Berlin [6][20]. Berlin's CDU candidate Stefan Evers stated he would not work with radicals of any kind [22]. Protestant Bishop Christian Stäblein and Catholic Bishop Heiner Koch affirmed their churches' commitment to human dignity and said Berlin remains diverse [6][20].

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte declined to comment on the elections, stating that the Alliance will work with whatever leadership Germans elect [31]. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressed Germany's continued role in European security and Ukraine support [31].

Scholars and Jewish dissident voices argued that Germany's elevation of support for Israel to state reason has let the AfD present itself as transformed while still demonizing minorities [13]. Cambridge University's Esra Ozyurek said the AfD "still follows the same playbook with its fascist predecessors in demonising a religious/ethnic minority" [13]. UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese described the claim of feeling threatened by Jews who oppose genocide as "misplaced victimhood" [13]. Author Susan Neiman termed the drive to root out antisemitism "philosemitic McCarthyism" [13].

Coalition talks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin are expected to proceed without AfD participation, as other parties maintain the firewall against cooperation [26][28]. The AfD's stated goal of long-term coalition talks with the CDU remains unmet [26]. Merz has convened CDU leadership and canceled a trip to the UN General Assembly to address the crisis [10].