CDU suffers heavy losses in Berlin, piling pressure on Chancellor Merz
The CDU's collapse in Berlin, and its losses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on the same day, gives Chancellor Merz a breathing space that could still prove costly, according to a Tagesspiegel commentary.
The CDU was one of the biggest losers of Berlin's election on 20 September 2026. The party had won the 2023 repeat election with about 28 percent and led the senate under Governing Mayor Kai Wegner. This time it fell to about 18.8 percent and lost around 24 seats, ending up far behind the Left in second place. Wegner, who had faced criticism, did not stand again, and the party ran with Stefan Evers as lead candidate. Because the CDU also lost heavily in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state election on the same day, the results quickly became a national issue for Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In a commentary on election night, Tagesspiegel editor-in-chief Christian Tretbar argued that the elections give Merz a breathing space. He warned that it could still become expensive because the loss of trust is so clear, and described the prospect as a farewell in instalments. Merz responded that evening by speaking at CDU headquarters, saying he would remain chancellor and continue his reform course. In Berlin itself, the CDU's future depends on whether the SPD and Greens choose to talk to it or to the Left.
