Merz's Conservatives Face Test in Rhineland-Palatinate

0:00On March 20, German Chancellor Friedrich Murz and his conservative Christian Democrats face a big test this Sunday in Rhineland, Pallatinning. They're pushing to end the Social Democrats 35-year control of the state. Recent polls show their candidate, Gordon Schneider, with just a two-point edge over incumbent Alexander Schweitzer. This race got tighter after the conservatives closed laws to the Greens and neighboring Baden-Württemberg on March 8. Meanwhile, Murz juggles national challenges like bolstering Ukraine aid and bracing for energy strains from the Iran conflict. For the Social Democrats, it's make or break to slow their nationwide drop, where they've even fallen behind the far right alternative for Germany in, surveys. The state, known for its wines and chemicals powerhouse, BASF, has struggled with economic flat spots lately. Losing power here would hit the party hard, coming after their national coalition, fell apart in 2024. Commentators note a conservative Social Democrat team up could still form locally if margins stay narrow.

1:03As the second of five state elections this year, with key races in Berlin and eastern states coming in September, these results could signal shifts. Across Germany's political landscape.