Coalition - Merz: Will not allow power struggle for chancellor candidacy
CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz does not believe that CSU leader Markus Söder will allow himself to be drawn into another internal power struggle for the Union's chancellor candidacy in the next general election.
"Markus Söder and I simply get on too well personally for that," Merz told the German Press Agency in Berlin. "And he also knows that we will not and do not want a repeat of 2021." The CDU chairman added: "I will not allow something like this to happen again."
When asked whether he would be the "natural candidate for chancellor" in the event of an early election to the Bundestag, Merz answered cautiously. "We are discussing this within the CDU and CSU. First the party chairmen, then of course the state chairmen. When the time comes. And we will stick to that."
The office of Chancellor requires experience, strong nerves, leadership and teamwork skills, said Merz. They would discuss this and then make a decision together. Of course, he would also discuss the issue with his family. As before, he would not make any decision "that does not meet with the approval of my family".
Humility and respect
He is "approaching this question with great humility and respect, because I know that this office is the most important political office in the Federal Republic of Germany," said Merz about a possible candidacy for chancellor. The office requires a high international presence and a high level of international respect. "I also have a number of factors to consider, which I will carefully reflect on and decide for myself. That is not a matter of course."
When asked whether there was anything against him becoming a candidate for chancellor, Merz replied: "The question of which voter groups I can reach as a person is an issue." In addition, he will turn 70 a few weeks after the next regular Bundestag election in the fall of the year after next. "That would make me the oldest candidate for the office of Federal Chancellor in the Federal Republic of Germany after (the first CDU Chancellor) Konrad Adenauer. These are considerations, these are considerations that I must also keep in mind."
In response to the comment that the likely presidential candidates in the USA in the 2024 elections there are significantly older, Merz said: "And precisely because it is like this in the USA, it is more of a warning for me not to simply take it for granted that you can really still fill such an office at this age." US President Joe Biden is 81 years old, while his possible challenger and predecessor Donald Trump is 77.
He feels fit, said Merz. When he recently wanted to fly in a Bundeswehr Eurofighter, he was "checked through for seven hours at the Bundeswehr's Aeromedical Center - and there were no complaints".
Time for decision on K issue open
The question of when the CDU/CSU will decide on the K issue depends on two factors, said Merz. "Firstly, when will the Bundestag elections actually take place? Secondly, if it doesn't regularly take place until the fall of 2025, then we need a year in advance for the candidate to really prepare well for the election." With regard to Söder's proposal to wait until after the state elections in September 2024 before deciding on a candidate for chancellor, Merz said: "It could be after these state elections in the east, it could also be before. That is a question of the political assessment of the situation and we will make it together." The following applies: "The two party chairmen are always potential candidates."
Merz: Will continue to use pointed wording in future
The CDU chairman defended controversial statements such as those about "little pashas" or the description of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) as a "plumber of power". "Every now and then, the leader of the opposition has to use pointed language so that an issue becomes an issue. And only through contradiction does it become an issue." He has set such topics. He will continue to do so in future: "I will not fundamentally change or pretend. I am who I am, with all my strengths and weaknesses. That's part of it."
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- In the upcoming federal election, the Federal Republic of Germany will choose its next leader.
- The CDU and CSU, the two major parties in Germany, are currently discussing potential candidates for chancellor.
- One of the candidates under consideration is Friedrich Merz, the chairman of the CDU.
- Merz recently stated that he believes his CSU counterpart Markus Söder will not allow a power struggle for the chancellor candidacy.
- The USA currently has two presidential candidates who are significantly older than Merz, raising questions about age as a factor in political leadership.
- Merz himself will turn 70 a few weeks after the next regular Bundestag election, making him one of the oldest candidates for the office of Federal Chancellor in German history.
- When asked about his candidacy, Merz expressed humility and respect for the office of Chancellor, stating that it requires experience, strong nerves, leadership skills and teamwork.
- Merz also acknowledged that he must consider factors such as his ability to reach different voter groups and the international presence required for the role.
- The decision on the K question, or who will run as the Union's chancellor candidate, depends on when the Bundestag elections will take place and how much time the candidate will need to prepare.
- The German Press Agency reported on Merz's comments about the power struggle for chancellor candidacy and his potential candidacy.
- The CDU and CSU will continue to discuss potential candidates and make a decision in due course, with both party chairmen remaining potential candidates for chancellor.
Source: www.stern.de
