{"id":"215b8609-dcf1-48b9-9c00-ba81d8ff7054","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/friedrich-merz-afd-germans-berlin-europe-b3053048.html","domain":"independent.co.uk","outlet":{"name":"The Independent","country":"GB","cred":3,"lean":-1,"curated":true},"title":"Merz faces key test as 2 German states hold elections with eyes on the far-right AfD","plainHeadline":"Merz faces key test as two German states vote, AfD gains feared","rewrite":{"model":null,"at":null},"summary":["Polling stations opened for two German regional elections amid AfD gains.","Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin vote could affect Merz’s power.","AfD strong in Saxony-Anhalt raised questions about national leadership.","CDU could lose Berlin mayor’s office or fail to enter Mecklenburg-Vorp.","Merz postponed UN trip, vows to stay on despite headwinds."],"topics":["Politics","Economy","Environment"],"lang":"eng","publishedAt":"2026-09-20T06:52:49.000Z","ingestedAt":"2026-09-20T07:11:38.130Z","story":"https://brief.concise.news/story/36567948-7957-4921-a35d-87935ca85b2a","storyId":"36567948-7957-4921-a35d-87935ca85b2a","image":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/09/20/07/Germany_Politics_47874.jpg?width=1200&auto=webp&crop=3%3A2","author":"Kirsten Grieshaber","dek":"Polling stations have opened for two German regional elections that could impact Chancellor Friedrich Merz's hold on power"}