Following a significant defeat in a state election, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his shock on Monday. His centre-right party experienced a heavy loss to the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. Merz described being "deeply shocked" by the outcome of the poll, signaling a worrying trend in German politics. Despite the setback, he reaffirmed his commitment to continuing with planned reforms. The results are being widely analyzed as a reflection of growing discontent among voters. A full press conference featuring Merz’s remarks is available for viewing. This loss presents a challenge for Merz’s party and the current political landscape in Germany.