Poor poll results put Merkel in tough spot

The party was at the receiving end of voters’ anger, suffering defeats in two out of three states in regional elections, including its traditional stronghold Baden-Wuerttemberg. The stinging result for the CDU was accompanied by a surge in backing for the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), which had suggested police may have to shoot at migrants to stop their entry. 

The elections, the biggest since Germany registered a record influx of refugees, will not impact her post, Sunday’s results could strengthen the hand of her adversaries, including strident critics among her Bavarian allies, the CSU.