CDU suffered heavy losses in two regional elections, including in home state of former leader Angela Merkel, where it polled just 4.9%
Polls had been predicting the humiliating result for Merz’s conservatives, which came after a historic rout two weeks ago in the former communist state of Saxony-Anhalt, where the CDU scored just 17% to the AfD’s nearly 44%.
But the cumulative effect of the series of losses, coupled with Merz’s dire approval rating and a far- right with clear momentum, can hardly be exaggerated. Despite his vow to stay the course, many saw the German leader on borrowed time.
