German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed Monday to stay in office and press ahead with reforms after his Christian Democratic Union suffered its worst postwar state election results.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the CDU received just 4.9 percent of the vote, falling below the 5 percent threshold required to enter the state parliament for the first time in the party's history. The far-right Alternative for Germany party led with approximately 38 percent.

In Berlin, the CDU placed second behind the hard-left Die Linke party, which captured around 25 percent. These outcomes followed a similar drubbing two weeks earlier in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD secured nearly 44 percent.

Merz described the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern result as a "disaster" but rejected calls to step aside. He said the defeats reflected voter frustration with necessary economic changes and insisted his government would continue pushing tax, welfare, and bureaucracy reductions to restore prosperity.

The AfD's repeated strong showings in eastern states highlight growing discontent over immigration, sluggish growth, and establishment policies. Other parties have refused coalitions with the AfD, limiting its immediate governing role.

Merz, who took office about 16 months ago, faces low approval ratings and internal party speculation. He emphasized determination to address Germany's economic challenges despite the setbacks.