Far-right AfD sees silver lining in weak result: Merkel is out

Far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party top candidate Tino Chrupalla and Beatrix von Storch react after first exit polls for the general elections in Berlin, Germany, September 26, 2021. REUTERS/Andreas Gebert

BERLIN (Reuters) - Leaders of Alternative for Germany (AfD) put on a brave face after projected election results showed support for the far-right party dropping and said they rejoiced in seeing Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives slump to their worst-ever result.

The mood was subdued at a restaurant in Berlin where party leaders and a few dozen members had gathered after the party failed to improve on the 12.6% it secured four years ago, settling instead on 10-11%.