Angela Merkel's CDU slumps to historic lows in former strongholds

State election results could be sign tide is turning against conservatives as country gears up for national poll

Angela Merkel's party has slumped to historic lows in two former stronghold regions at state elections, in a sign that the tide may be turning against Germany's conservatives just as the country gears up for a national vote in six months' time.

The incumbent Green premier of Baden-Wurttemberg and the Social Democrat leader of Rhineland-Palatinate both look certain to retain their offices in the two south-western states, after exit polls showed significant losses for the second-placed Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on Sunday.