Germany’s CDU is thrown out of state parliament, but why is Chancellor Merz still refusing to go?

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing repeated questions about his political future after the CDU suffered major setbacks in recent state elections. The party failed to clear the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while also losing ground in Berlin, intensifying scrutiny of Merz’s leadership. Merz has rejected any immediate leadership debate, saying nobody in the CDU leadership has questioned his position and insisting he will continue as chancellor and party chairman. The election results have nevertheless triggered renewed discussion inside Germany’s governing coalition and the CDU about the consequences of the defeats and the party’s future direction.