Germany's left-right coalition strengthened its power Sunday after winning three state elections.
It was the country's first elections since Chancellor Angela Merkel took office in November.
Her conservative Christian Democrats kept control in the Baden-Wuerttemberg and Saxony-Anhalt states while her coalition partners - the liberal Social Democrats - held on to power in Rhineland-Palatinate state.
Voter turnout was reported to be low.
Support for Ms. Merkel has grown since she became chancellor. But some political analysts say voters are still waiting for her to tackle such domestic problems as health care and nuclear power.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.