Merz campaigns in Berlin ahead of state election seen as personal test

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces significant internal and external pressure, with his chancellorship under threat due to ongoing investigations targeting his inner circle and anticipated heavy losses in upcoming state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. While CDU state premiers have publicly unified in support of Merz, this is interpreted by some as a sign of underlying weakness and shifting internal party dynamics. The situation is fluid, with a 'Kanzlertausch' (chancellor swap) being privately discussed among senior CDU members.