German Chancellor Merz has called the recent state elections a ‘disaster’ for his CDU party but has pledged to remain in office. Exit polls showed damaging losses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin, increasing political pressure on his leadership.
Core Summary Germany held key state elections on Sunday, widely viewed as a significant test of Chancellor Merz’s political fortunes. International media outlets including the BBC reported that if Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) performs poorly in these state elections, the political pressure on the chancellor will intensify further. The elections will affect not only Germany’s domestic political landscape but also European policy directions on immigration, security, and economic issues. ...
Core Summary Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson formally announced his resignation on September 17, ending his tenure leading the moderate coalition government. The political change follows a recent parliamentary election in which the center-right governing coalition failed to maintain its majority, with the left-wing opposition bloc led by Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson poised to form the next government. The result marks a significant shift in Sweden’s political landscape. Event Details According to BBC and Guardian reporting, Swedish parliamentary election results showed the left-wing party bloc winning a majority of seats in this vote. Following the results, Kristersson submitted his resignation to the Speaker of Parliament in accordance with convention, clearing the way for the new government formation. ...
Al Jazeera reported on September 15 that Sweden’s 2026 parliamentary election has produced an exceptionally tight result, with the major parties separated by margins within the statistical margin of error. The far-right Sweden Democrats saw a notable drop in support compared with the previous election, but neither the left bloc nor the centre-right bloc has secured a working majority for government formation. Analysts say the outcome may produce a repeat of the 2018-style hung parliament and cast uncertainty over Sweden’s NATO policy, its EU relationship and the country’s immigration and energy-transition agenda.
Politico Europe reported on September 13 that Sweden’s parliamentary election has seen a dramatic late reversal in the count, with the centre-left bloc edging ahead by one seat while the Sweden Democrats-led far-right surge sharpened significantly in the final phase of voting, meaning the final result may not be clear for several days. The shift puts the previously expected scenario of a Moderates-led right-wing coalition taking office under serious doubt, and coalition negotiations could extend into a multi-week or multi-month complex bargaining process. As an important bellwether of the Nordic social-democratic tradition, Sweden’s election outcome will have knock-on effects on the European political climate, EU internal policy coordination and immigration governance models.
Reuters reported on September 13 that voting in Sweden’s parliamentary election concluded in the evening, with initial counts showing a sharp rise for the far-right Sweden Democrats and the party poised to enter a governing coalition led by the Moderates for the first time. Several major European outlets described the vote as an important signal of a further rightward shift in the European political map, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for immigration policy, EU relations, energy transition and public safety. Preliminary tallies showed the centre-right bloc holding a relative majority of the 349 seats in the Riksdag, but internal disagreements remain significant and coalition negotiations are expected to last several weeks.
[Brief] The Guardian reported on September 8 that multiple German cities saw large-scale anti-AfD (Alternative for Germany) protests that day, with participants calling for the protection of democratic values and opposition to extremism. The protest wave comes ahead of important state elections in two eastern German states, where latest polls show the AfD’s vote share continues to rise, even leading the ruling coalition’s candidates in some regions. The report noted that the protest wave reflects strong concerns in mainstream German society about the expansion of far-right forces, putting Chancellor Merz’s ruling coalition under increasing political pressure. Multiple political analysts warned that if the AfD achieves a breakthrough in upcoming state elections, it could further shake up Germany’s traditional party landscape and influence European political trends on a broader scale. ...
Summary Ukraine’s sacked defence minister has publicly called for presidential elections, posing a direct challenge to wartime leadership. The rare statement has sparked widespread discussion about potential shifts in Ukraine’s political landscape, reflecting accumulating domestic political pressure amid the ongoing war. Details The former defence minister stated in a public declaration that President Zelenskyy should hold presidential elections, arguing that the country needs democratic procedures to reaffirm the legitimacy of its leadership during the continuing war. This statement is seen as a direct challenge to wartime governance. ...
Core Summary Hungary’s parliament voted on July 13 to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office. Sulyok was widely regarded as a loyalist of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who lost power in April after 16 years in office. The vote marks a new phase in Hungary’s post-Orbán political transition, as the new government systematically dismantles the political legacy of its predecessor. Event Details According to the BBC, Hungary’s parliament passed the motion to remove President Sulyok by a majority vote. Sulyok was elected president during Orbán’s tenure and was seen as a steadfast supporter of the former ruling party. After Orbán’s Fidesz party lost the general election in April, Péter Magyar’s Respect and Freedom Party formed a new government, and Sulyok’s political position began to weaken. ...
A French court has found far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen guilty of EU fund misuse, but ruled she may run for president while wearing an electronic monitoring tag.