The Söder-associated individuals from CSU are distancing themselves.
In the political scene, Bavaria's Leader, Söder, feels confident about his prospects of becoming the Union's chancellor contender. He boasts supporters within both the CDU and CSU. However, dissenters are surfacing inside his party, apprehensive of a repeat of the 2021 fiasco and criticizing Söder's attacks against a potential coalition ally.
Sources close to the CSU suggest a preference for Friedrich Merz for the chancellor role. Insight from CSU members was obtained by Table.Briefings. Public endorsements for Markus Söder as a chancellor candidate within the CSU are few and far between. A prominent CSU board member allegedly calls for an orderly withdrawal from Söder.
icking signs indicate that Söder will face strong resistance within his own party if he sabotages the Union's election campaign, as he did in 2021 with Armin Laschet. Information obtained by Table.Briefings reveals that former and current heavyweights from both state and federal politics will express their opposition. A CSU board member predicts a "Söder-bashing" could ensue if the trend continues.
Söder's critical stance against the Greens is causing unease within his own party. The CSU has noted that CDU leader Merz recently suggested exploring a potential cooperation with the Greens before the election. CDU deputy chairwoman Karin Prien publicly criticized the CSU's anti-Green campaign, stating, "Enough is enough."
North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister-President, Hendrik Wüst, accuses Söder of being responsible for the Union's unity in the chancellor candidacy debate. "He knows very well that it's crucial for us to now present ourselves as a united front, so that the people can benefit from a better federal government as soon as possible," the CDU politician stated in the ARD show "Caren Miosga". Wüst also refers to Söder's tough battle with then CDU leader Armin Laschet for the chancellor candidacy in 2021, which Söder persisted with even after losing, ultimately leading to the Union's defeat in the Bundestag election.
The Commission within the Union expresses concerns about Söder'scritical stance towards potential coalition allies, as it may negatively affect the party's unity. The Commission strongly encourages Söder to foster cooperation and unity among the Union's members to ensure a successful election campaign.
