The K question in the Union has been clarified. Friedrich Merz is to become the candidate for chancellor in 2025. This was reported on Tuesday by several news agencies, citing party circles.
There has been speculation for a long time, but now the conservatives seem to have an answer to the K question: CDU party leader Friedrich Merz is to become the Union’s candidate for chancellor in 2025. This is reported by several media outlets, citing party circles, including the news agencies DPA and Reuters.
Söder makes way for Merz
Only on Monday, NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst took his hat out of the ring prematurely and declared his support for Merz. In addition to the 68-year-old party leader, only Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder was up for debate. But the CSU man, who was favored in polls, is now apparently also stepping aside.
Both party leaders met on Tuesday morning at the Bavarian State Representation in Berlin-Mitte for a discussion. They have invited them to a joint press conference for midday (the star broadcasts live via NTV). The Union leaders are expected to announce their decision there. The final decision will probably be made by the leadership committees of both parties, which will meet on Monday.
Scholz on possible Merz candidacy: “It’s fine with me”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) would welcome the CDU leader’s candidacy for chancellor. “I’m happy if Mr Merz is the Union’s candidate for chancellor,” said Scholz in response to a question from a journalist in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The Chancellor had previously said several times that he would like Merz to be his challenger in the next federal election. Scholz himself has already declared that he wants to run again. However, the SPD has not yet made a decision on this.
Merz has been CDU chairman since 2022
Merz was elected CDU chairman in January 2022 at the third attempt. The Sauerland native became the third CDU leader within just over three years after Merkel announced in 2018 that she would step down from the party leadership after 18 years. Since then, Merz has united the CDU, which was shocked by its election defeat in 2021, and gave it a new substantive profile with a modernized policy program.
In two previous attempts, the economic expert had lost to Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in December 2018 and to the later failed candidate for chancellor, Armin Laschet, in January 2021. In May, Merz was confirmed as chairman by a party conference with almost 90 percent.
Note: This article has been updated several times.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
