Merz calls for the withdrawal of Laschet’s deputies in the CDU presidium
Friedrich Merz sees an “urgent need” in his CDU
Source: Martin UK Lengemann / WELT
For the former parliamentary group leader, it is not enough just to replace the CDU chairman Armin Laschet: Friedrich Merz insists on a much more far-reaching realignment at the expense of Bouffier, Klöckner & Co. And what is his position on the proposal for a Christian Democratic dual leadership?
F.Friedrich Merz (CDU) expects a large part of the previous presidium of his party to free up space for new members. Especially the five deputies of the party leader Armin Laschet takes Merz into consideration.
When asked whether Baden-Württemberg’s CDU boss Thomas Strobl, Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner and Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier should run again, Merz said in an interview with WELT AM SONNTAG: “I see the urgent need for a considerable part of the Presidium to be filled with new members. The CDU has to reposition itself, that includes not only the chairman and the general secretary, but also all other positions. “
Klöckner has announced its withdrawal from the state chairmanship in Rhineland-Palatinate, but continues to express interest in the deputy position in the federal party. Strobl is about to be re-elected as head of the state in Baden-Württemberg, which is a prerequisite for a candidacy in the federal government. Hesse’s head of government Bouffier has not yet declared himself. Other deputies of Laschet so far are Health Minister Jens Spahn, who is said to be interested in the chief position, and Silvia Breher, member of the Lower Saxony Bundestag.
So far, all five deputies are West Germans. From Merz’s point of view, it cannot stay that way. “In my opinion, it would be very important that the East should also be among the deputy party leaders.”
Whether Merz himself wants to run for the presidium or the chairman’s post, he still keeps a low profile. However, he has a clear idea of what the party leadership should not look like.
He is against a double leadership, as Breher had brought into play: “Double leadership is always very complicated in politics. I don’t think that’s a good idea, also with a view to the party leadership. ”The CDU has no experience with this, and the experiences of other parties are not really convincing either:“ We should stick with one or a chairperson of the party. ”
“Procedure can go quickly”
In general, Merz urges you to hurry. The reorganization of the CDU must have taken place by the end of the year. The 65-year-old, who had already failed twice with a candidacy for the party chairmanship, includes a member survey that he considers necessary. A digital format can also be selected.
On October 30, the party’s district chairmen will discuss whether the members should be questioned. The decision then ultimately rests with the federal executive committee. However, he can hardly ignore the vote of the grassroots organizations.
In the Adenauer House, however, there are considerable doubts as to whether Merz’s demand for a member survey and for the reorganization to be completed by the end of the year is realistic. A decision on a survey is to be made in the board of directors on November 2nd. According to this, at least six weeks are estimated for the summoning of the members, the organization and implementation as well as a possible runoff election.
A presentation of the candidates is not even planned. How the presentation should take place is still unclear, as no possible successor to Laschet has yet been announced. However, the candidates have a say.
Friedrich Merz gives speech at the Junge Union’s Germany Day
Three weeks after the historically poor performance of the CDU and CSU in the federal elections, the Junge Union comes together for its Germany Day. The youth organization now wants to process the election result, see Friedrich Merz’s speech here.
Merz has a pragmatic position here: “The possible candidates are all sufficiently known, we no longer need to let a caravan of several weeks pass through Germany. That is why the process can go quickly, including membership participation Jens Spahn, the foreign politician Norbert Röttgen and parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus acted.
Merz had recently declared that a party leader must also become a parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag. He is now revising this statement. “In the special situation we are in today, it might make sense not to put the leadership of the party and that of the parliamentary group in one hand, at least for a while.”
Brinkhaus is elected until April 30th, after which he wants to continue. The fact that Merz is now revising his position may have to do with the fact that he does not want to give his competitor a strategic advantage as an incumbent. The parliamentary group leader is also the opposition leader and can respond directly to government statements by the Chancellor and cabinet representatives. This means that he also has a prominent position in the public eye.