Berlin and Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania Head to Polls as AfD Gains Momentum

UPDATE - follow-up to Two German states go to the polls after far‑right gains - Al Jazeera: Berlin and Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania will hold state elections next week, raising the stakes for Chancellor Olaf Scholz as the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) seeks further regional wins. The two elections are seen as a barometer for the AfD’s appeal after strong showings in recent local contests. Analysts note that a strong AfD performance could pressure the ruling coalition and make the chancellor’s political future uncertain. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the CDU has warned that the rise of the far‑right threatens Germany’s liberal democratic order and urged voters to block the AfD. Both states are key because Berlin is the capital and a cultural hub, while Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania has been a traditional stronghold for the governing parties. Voter turnout is expected to be high, with younger voters and urban residents closely watched for their choices. The results will be counted on Sunday and could influence upcoming federal policy debates, especially on immigration, climate and fiscal reforms. Parties on the centre‑left are campaigning on social investment and green energy, hoping to retain their base against the AfD’s hard‑line rhetoric. The elections will be monitored by European observers for any signs of electoral irregularities.