Merz Vows to Stay as Chancellor After 'Disaster' State Election Results

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to remain in office despite what he described as a "disaster" in recent state elections. Exit polls indicate significant losses for his center-right CDU party in the states of Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. These results come amid intense political pressure on the Chancellor, with the far-right Alternative for Germany party appearing to make gains in eastern Germany.