German Chancellor Merz's party faces fresh setback in state elections

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) faced heavy losses in two state elections, according to exit polls, adding to pressure on the leader as he struggles to revive the economy and contain the far-right AfD's rise. The AfD made gains in both states, while the CDU was projected to record its worst-ever result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since World War II.