Merkel's CDU and coalition SPD lost support in Hesse regional elections

Not a good showing for Merkels governing coalition

German Chancellor Merkels governing coalition suffered heavy losses in a regional election in the state of Hesse on Sunday.

• The CDU party and SPD were each down 10% on the previous election in the Hesse state
• SPD Nahles said the federal government's poor performance had significantly contributed to the disappointing results
• She added that the state of government was unacceptable and the federal government must find a reasonable way of working.
• The CDU must agree to a clear binding roadmap ahead of a schedule coalition review next year. At that point, she said the SPD would be able to check whether this government is still the right place.

The CDU polled just 28% of the vote. That was down from 38.3% in 2013.

The SPD won 20% down from 30.7% in 2013.

The Greens came in a close third at 19.5%.