Merkel’s party slumps to defeat in regional polls

Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Democrats (CDU) have suffered poor results in two key regional votes seen as an indication of what might happen in September's general election.

The CDU won about a quarter of the vote in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, preliminary results show.

The two western states were once conservative strongholds.

Mrs Merkel is due to step down as German chancellor in September, after 16 years in office.

The slump in the CDU vote comes amid anger in Germany at the slow pace of the coronavirus vaccine rollout and a mask procurement scandal.