The AfD’s second place in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania illustrates the challenge facing Merkel in 2017

Angela Merkel’s CDU came third behind the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the German Social Democrats (SPD) in elections in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania on 4 September 2016. Kai Arzheimer writes that while the result was not unexpected and the CDU still has a lead in national polling, the election underlines the challenge facing Merkel as she seeks reelection in the next German federal elections in 2017.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: State election, 4 September 2016 - Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany: AfD beats Merkel party in regional elections / Politicians blame Merkel's refugee policy for defeat in regional elections http://www.europeansources.info/record/state-election-4-september-2016-mecklenburg-vorpommern-germany-afd-beats-merkel-party-in-regional-elections-politicians-blame-merkels-refugee-policy-for-defeat-in-regional-elections/

Deutsche Welle, 27.03.17: Germany's AfD in crisis after Saarland slump http://dw.com/p/2a4H3

ESO: Key Source: German federal election, 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-federal-election-2017/

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