Germany: Polls open in two key state elections

20 Sep 2026, 06:00 · DW

Voting in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is expected to bring gains for the far-right AfD party and could determine whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz can hold on to power. Follow DW live.

Regional elections are taking place in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the city-state Berlin
Voters are also electing members of district assemblies in Berlin
The outcome of the elections could determine the political future of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose approval rating is at a record low
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to gain ground in both states but is unlikely to be part of government
For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds are eligible to vote in both states

We're expecting exit polls at around 16.00 GMT. Follow along here for all the highs and lows today:

Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google. Then tap the "Star" or "Preferred" to keep DW News at the top of your feed.