Supporters of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party watch as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a televised address shown 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)