Germany's Merkel suffers loss in home state election

The Christian Democrats (CDU) won 23.1% of the vote in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, down from 28.8% in 2006.

The centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) came ahead with 35.7% support. The opposition Greens also made gains.

Correspondents say the eurozone crisis, and Germany's role in the Greek bail-out, figured largely in the campaign.

Mrs Merkel faces national elections in 2013.

'Bitter taste'

State elections this year are seen as a key test of support for the governing coalition between the CDU and the liberal Free Democrat Party (FDP). The SPD is Germany's largest opposition party.

"The CDU is, of course, disappointed by this election result," senior party MP Peter Altmaier told ARD television.

He said it pointed to the need "to stand together. This is the precondition for people to have confidence in our policies."

The FDP have crashed out of the state legislature altogether, securing only 2.7% of the vote, down from 9.6% in 2006.

Parties must reach 5% to enter the state's parliament; Kazinform cites BBC.

To learn more go to www.bbc.co.uk