Far-right party AfD took first place in state elections in northeastern Germany on Sunday, exit polls showed, delivering a 'disaster' for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who vowed to push ahead with his reform agenda.⁣ ⁣ Merz has called for the implementation of planned federal reforms following state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, emphasizing his commitment to pushing the country forward.⁣ ⁣ Acknowledging the challenges posed by the election results, Merz expressed confidence that the reforms' success would improve not only domestic social cohesion but also Germany's image on the international stage. ⁣ ⁣ #germany #afd #merz #elections #germanelections