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Angela Merkel's CDU 'suffers Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania poll blow' | Angela Merkel's CDU 'suffers Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania poll blow' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Angela Merkel's ruling CDU party has been beaten into third place by an anti-immigrant and anti-Islam party in elections in a north-eastern German state, TV exit polls suggest. | Angela Merkel's ruling CDU party has been beaten into third place by an anti-immigrant and anti-Islam party in elections in a north-eastern German state, TV exit polls suggest. |
The Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) party took 21% of the vote behind the centre-left SPD's 30.5%. | The Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) party took 21% of the vote behind the centre-left SPD's 30.5%. |
The German chancellor's CDU was supported by only 19% of those who voted, according to the exit polls. | The German chancellor's CDU was supported by only 19% of those who voted, according to the exit polls. |
The vote was seen as a key test before German parliamentary elections in 2017. | The vote was seen as a key test before German parliamentary elections in 2017. |
Before the vote in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, all of Germany's other parties ruled out forming a governing coalition with the AfD. | Before the vote in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, all of Germany's other parties ruled out forming a governing coalition with the AfD. |
However, the party's strong showing could weaken Mrs Merkel ahead of the national elections next year. | However, the party's strong showing could weaken Mrs Merkel ahead of the national elections next year. |
'Rapefugee' message in Rostock as AfD challenges Merkel | 'Rapefugee' message in Rostock as AfD challenges Merkel |
Germany jolted by AfD success | Germany jolted by AfD success |
Is Merkel really on the ropes? | Is Merkel really on the ropes? |
Profile: AfD leader Frauke Petry | Profile: AfD leader Frauke Petry |
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, in the former East Germany, is where the chancellor's own constituency is located. | Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, in the former East Germany, is where the chancellor's own constituency is located. |
Under her leadership, Germany has been taking in large numbers of refugees and migrants - 1.1 million last year - and anti-immigrant feeling has increased. | Under her leadership, Germany has been taking in large numbers of refugees and migrants - 1.1 million last year - and anti-immigrant feeling has increased. |
The AfD, initially an anti-euro party, has become the party of choice for voters dismayed by Mrs Merkel's policy. | The AfD, initially an anti-euro party, has become the party of choice for voters dismayed by Mrs Merkel's policy. |
The CDU has been the junior coalition partner in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania since 2006. Its 19% in the election is its worst ever result in the state, German broadcasters said. | The CDU has been the junior coalition partner in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania since 2006. Its 19% in the election is its worst ever result in the state, German broadcasters said. |
Addressing supporters, local AfD leader Leif-Erik Holm said: "Perhaps this is the beginning of the end of Angela Merkel's chancellorship today." | |
Mrs Merkel, who is in China for the G20 summit, told Bild newspaper on Saturday: "We did not reduce benefits for anyone in Germany as a result of the aid for refugees. In fact, we actually saw social improvements in some areas. | |
"We took nothing away from people here. We are still achieving our big goal of maintaining and improving the quality of life in Germany." | |
More on AfD |