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North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, held local elections on September 14th, 2025. The vote served as a key test for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition government, comprised of the CDU/CSU and SPD. The far-right AfD, experiencing recent national gains, aimed to capitalize on the shift towards the right in western Germany. The election results will offer insights into the political landscape and the popularity of Merz's coalition.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.