AfD leads new poll in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ahead of state election

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is three points ahead in a new poll for the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

The poll comes after the AfD thrashed the center-right CDU in Saxony-Anhalt's state election

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that truth and lies are increasingly being blurred, including by people in power

Merkel acknowledged that some decisions during her time as chancellor helped fuel support for the AfD

Here is a roundup of top stories from and about Germany on Friday, September 11, 2026:

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is leading in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ahead of next week's state election, according to a new poll for broadcaster ZDF released Friday.

The survey comes days after the AfD won the state election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered a major defeat.

The "Forschungsgruppe Wahlen" poll puts the AfD at 37%, three points ahead of state Premier Manuela Schwesig's center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) at 34%.

The CDU polled at just 7% — which if reflected on election day would be its worst result in a state election since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The socialist Left Party is at 10%, while the environmentalist Greens are at 5% and the left-wing populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) at 4%.

Parties generally need at least 5% to enter the state parliament.

State Premier Schwesig nevertheless remains well ahead of AfD lead candidate Leif-Erik Holm personally in polling. Some 61% said they would prefer her as state premier, compared with 28% for Holm.

However, based on the polling data, it would not be enough to continue the current SPD-Left Party coalition. Schwesig might have to rely on a third coalition partner to remain as premier.

Guten Tag from the DW newsroom in Bonn.

You join us as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is leading in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ahead of the state election, according to a new poll.

The poll puts the AfD on 37%, three points ahead of the governing center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Meanwhile, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged people to actively defend democracy and freedom.

Merkel said democracy had to be defended against those who threaten it, adding that this would only work if people became involved themselves.