SPD Leads in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as CDU Backs Merz

A new ZDF Politbarometer survey shows the SPD narrowly ahead of the AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with Manuela Schwesig's party leading in the northeastern German state. Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz campaigned in Berlin, telling supporters, "This cannot be the Germany I so often see in the media." CDU state premiers have publicly backed Merz, and CDU politician Thorsten Frei dismissed doubts about the party's support for the chancellor. The statements followed internal debate about Merz's leadership and speculation about a possible change at the top of the chancellery.