German voters in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are heading to the polls this Sunday. Approximately 3.8 million people are participating in these two closely watched state elections, which follow a seismic result in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks ago.
The far-right, anti-immigration Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is expected to make further sweeping gains. Described as pro-Kremlin and pro-Trump, the AfD is seeking to build on its highest-ever regional poll result from the recent Saxony-Anhalt elections, potentially draining support from the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
The elections place immense pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose 16-month tenure and hold on power are increasingly at risk. Merz is currently struggling with low approval ratings and tensions within his governing coalition. In Berlin, the chancellor's party is trailing the radical left in polls, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU is an onlooker to the main battle between the center-left SPD and the AfD.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Social Democrats have governed for nearly three decades. If the SPD can fend off the AfD, the result may boost the fortunes of the German government's junior coalition partner.