Merz's CDU out of Mecklenburg parliament, exit polls show

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right CDU was projected to fall out of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state parliament after exit polls put it at 4.9% in Sunday's election, below the 5% threshold for seats.

The latest exit polls from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF showed a heavy loss for the CDU in the northeastern state and a historic low for the party there.

The far-right AfD was projected to win the election. Earlier exit polls and early results put the AfD at more than 37%, narrowly ahead of the centre-left SPD of state premier Manuela Schwesig at about 35%.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel said the party had become the state's strongest force. Co-leader Tino Chrupalla called the result a mandate to govern, and AfD candidate Leif-Erik Holm said he would invite all parties to talks.

Schwesig nevertheless looked likely to remain in office because the SPD, Greens and Die Linke appeared headed for a majority. Other major parties are unwilling to form a coalition with the AfD.

The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania result came two weeks after an AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt.