Updated

Exit polls from state elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin showed significant losses for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right CDU party. Merz described the results as a 'disaster' for his party but said he intends to remain in office despite the setback. The results are seen as a barometer of discontent with the ruling coalition in Germany. The losses add pressure on Merz's government ahead of further electoral tests, with rivals likely to seize on the results to question his leadership and policy direction.