Supporters of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party watch as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a televised address on public television after the release of the exit polls in the regional elections on September 20, 2026, in Schwerin in the northeastern federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made strong gains in two state elections, in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, on September 20, according to exit polls by public broadcasters ARD and ZDF. (Photo by Gregor Fischer / AFP via Getty Images)

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's State Premier and top candidate of the social democratic SPD party Manuela Schwesig speaks on stage after the announcement of the first exit poll results on public television at the SPD's election party in the Schwerin Castle, on September 20, 2026, following north-eastern Germany's Mecklenburg-Western-Pomerania's state elections. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images)

Die Linke (The Left) party members cheer and top candidate of the left-wing Die Linke (The Left) party Elif Eralp (front 3rdR) is hugged after the announcement of the first exit poll results on public television at the electoral evening event of Germany's The Left (Die Linke) party following Berlin's state elections in Festsaal Kreuzberg in Berlin on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Jens SCHLUETER / AFP via Getty Images)

Die Linke (The Left) party members cheer and top candidate of the left-wing Die Linke (The Left) party Elif Eralp (front 3rdR) is hugged after the announcement of the first exit poll results on public television at the electoral evening event of Germany's The Left (Die Linke) party following Berlin's state elections in Festsaal Kreuzberg in Berlin on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Jens SCHLUETER / AFP via Getty Images)

Co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party Alice Weidel celebrates after the announcement of the first exit poll results for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on public television at the electoral evening event of the Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party following Berlin's state elections in the House of Representatives in Berlin on September 20, 2026. (Photo by RALF HIRSCHBERGER / AFP via Getty Images)

Die Linke (The Left) party members cheer and top candidate of the left-wing Die Linke (The Left) party Elif Eralp (front 3rdR) is hugged after the announcement of the first exit poll results on public television at the electoral evening event of Germany's The Left (Die Linke) party following Berlin's state elections in Festsaal Kreuzberg in Berlin on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Jens SCHLUETER / AFP via Getty Images)

Die Linke (The Left) party members cheer and top candidate of the left-wing Die Linke (The Left) party Elif Eralp (front 3rdR) is hugged after the announcement of the first exit poll results on public television at the electoral evening event of Germany's The Left (Die Linke) party following Berlin's state elections in Festsaal Kreuzberg in Berlin on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Jens SCHLUETER / AFP via Getty Images)

Co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party Alice Weidel (R) and AfD top candidate for Berlin Kristin Brinker (L) wait for the announcement of the first exit poll results on public television at the electoral evening event of the Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party following Berlin's state elections in the House of Representatives in Berlin on September 20, 2026. (Photo by RALF HIRSCHBERGER / AFP via Getty Images)