CDU in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern fears falling below five percent threshold

German Union politicians fear their party could fail to clear the five percent threshold in the upcoming state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as recent polls show the CDU at only seven percent support. The election is scheduled for September 20. The CDU's decline from 13.3 percent in the 2021 state election has raised concerns, with former state party leader Eckhardt Rehberg warning the party could lose its seat in the state parliament. Politicians blame Minister-President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) for running a polarizing campaign that strengthens the AfD, while the CDU also suffers from the federal government's poor reputation. The AfD currently leads in polls ahead of the SPD, with the CDU hovering just above the threshold for parliamentary representation. Party officials express hope of reaching ten percent but acknowledge even that would be a modest result.