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Merkel's Bavaria ally CSU suffer 'massive losses'
![Angela Merkel allies in Bavaria humbled in historic vote, threatening more turbulence on national scene]()
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative allies lost their absolute majority in Bavaria’s state parliament by a wide margin in a regional election Sunday, a result that could cause more turbulence within the national government. Angela Merkel allies in Bavaria humbled in historic vote, threatening more turbulence on national scene
Angela Merkel's sister party has suffered massive losses in Bavaria's state elections, exit polls suggest, in a blow to the German chancellor.
The CSU is set to lose its absolute majority in the state parliament.
The Greens surged into second place and the anti-immigration AfD entered the state parliament for the first time.
The CSU has ruled Bavaria almost single-handedly since 1957, but has lost support as opinion becomes polarised over issues like migration.
Party leader Horst Seehofer said it was "not a nice day", but added it was only "one side of the coin" as the vote gives "a clear mandate" allowing the CSU to form a new government.
Exit polls for major broadcasters said the CSU (Christian Social Union) won about 37% of the vote, down 10 points on four years ago, with the left-leaning pro-immigration Greens on 18%.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) came fourth with 10%, behind a collective of independent candidates known as the Free Voters.
Mrs Merkel's national coalition partners the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) trailed in fifth with less than 10%, their vote halved.
There is speculation that it could pull out of the government in an attempt to survive as a party.
Its leader Andrea Nahles, blamed the poor performance in Bavaria on squabbling within the coalition.
