Merz's Moment of Truth: Regional Polls Put German Chancellor's Future to the Test Regional elections in Germany are often seen as a sideshow, but this year they have the potential to upend the entire political landscape.
For Friedrich Merz, the centre right Chancellor struggling to find his footing, the stakes couldn't be higher. The question on everyone's mind is: will a disappointing showing force Merz to step down?
Merz's troubles began long before these regional elections. His party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has been in disarray since Angela Merkel's departure.