Greens defeat Merz's CDU in key German state election

The Greens have won the state election in Baden-Württemberg, according to exit polls and projections. They defeated the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led nationally by Friedrich Merz, who had framed the vote as a key test.

While the Greens secured a victory, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party also made significant gains in the state. In a separate party event in North Rhine-Westphalia, the AfD's state leader was narrowly re-elected, a result some described as a hollow victory for the party's moderate wing.