Merkel's party suffers defeat in state ballot as SPD surges Catalan leader calls for calm ahead of Madrid deadline

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union suffered a defeat on Sunday in Volkswagen’s home state in a contest that underscored her party’s weakened position as she begins potentially laborious talks to form her next national government. Three weeks after Merkel’s CDU won the federal ballot, her party posted its worst result in Lower Saxony since 1959 and lost in the state to the Social Democrats. The SPD came from behind to secure 37.4 per cent of the vote, compared with 34.5 per cent for the CDU, according to projections published by broadcaster ARD. The late surge by the Social Democrats to win the state for the first time in 19 years marked a reversal for the party, which suffered its worst result since World War II in the September 24 national vote.

REUTERS< Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont on Sunday called for calm less than 24 hours ahead of a deadline from Spain’s central government for him to clarify whether he has declared independence for Catalonia or not. Puigdemont made a symbolic declaration of independence on Tuesday night, only to suspend it seconds later and call for negotiations with Madrid on the region’s future. Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has given him until Monday to clarify his position - and then until Thursday to change his mind if he insists on a split - threatening to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy if he chooses independence. REUTERS<