What you need to know
- 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:
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Far-right AfD leads ahead of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania vote
The survey comes days after the AfD won the state election in the eastern state of , while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right suffered a major defeat.
The "Forschungsgruppe Wahlen" poll puts the AfD at 37%, three points ahead of state Premier Manuela Schwesig's center-left 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 (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.
Triumph of the AfD: how will the far-right shake up Germany?
Welcome to our coverage
You join us as the far-right 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.
Stay with us here for these stories and more of what is talking about today.
