Latest news in Germany? September 22nd, 2026

The major news in Germany revolves around intense political fallout from regional state elections alongside updated economic projections:

• Coalition Fallout After State Election Losses: Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing heavy pressure following disastrous results for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in regional votes in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU sank to roughly 4.9%, failing to clear the parliamentary threshold, while the Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged. In Berlin, the far-left Die Linke led the race. Despite calls from the opposition and murmurs within his coalition to step down, Merz reaffirmed that he will remain in office, cancel his attendance at the UN General Assembly in New York, and push forward with agreed economic and welfare reforms.

  Taipei Times+ 3

• Coalition Friction with the SPD: Following the defeats, senior coalition partner Lars Klingbeil (SPD) signaled that while the party intends to keep the federal coalition intact, they are pushing for renegotiations regarding the pace and direction of key domestic and social reforms.

  Taipei Times

• Security Scrutiny Over State Access: Following AfD’s earlier election surge in eastern states like Saxony-Anhalt, federal authorities are considering restrictions on state-level access to sensitive classified intelligence, particularly concerning Russia.

  Meduza

• Upgraded Economic Growth Forecasts: Leading economic research institutes (including Ifo, DIW, and IfW Kiel) jointly raised their growth projections for the German economy, forecasting GDP growth of approximately 1.3% for 2026 (up from earlier 0.6% estimates) and 1.1% for 2027.

  Euronext