Merkel’s party headed for defeat in two German states – exit polls

German chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and her successor as chairman of the Christian Democratic Union Armin Laschet (Martin Meissner/AP)

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right party was headed for clear defeats in two German state elections on Sunday, exit polls have indicated.

The elections come six months before a national vote that will determine who succeeds the country’s long-time leader.