CDU
Merz stands by CDU General Secretary Czaja: “Very good work”
CDU General Secretary Mario Czaja talks to Friedrich Merz (r), CDU Federal Chairman and Union faction leader. photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
In the debate about the AfD’s high poll numbers, there is also speculation about the role of the CDU general secretary. Party colleague Merz doesn’t want to know anything about this – and criticizes the federal government.
The CDU chairman Friedrich Merz has strengthened his general secretary Mario Czaja. Regarding speculation about a possible replacement of Czajas, Merz told the news portal “t-online”: “That will not happen, he is doing a very good job.” The party leader advised: “Listen to him, he has a lot to say.”
With a view to the clout of the party headquarters, Merz emphasized: “I don’t want to hear from the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus what we are against.” He just wanted to hear what the party was for. “We are in favor of climate protection that creates prosperity. We are in favor of a technology-neutral and socially acceptable heating transition and we are in favor of more equal opportunities for children, especially for those who have it more difficult.”
AfD with rising poll numbers
The Union is currently the strongest force in polls. The AfD, in particular, is currently benefiting from the dissatisfaction of many people with the work of the traffic light coalition, which is recording rising poll numbers. Here it stands at 18 to 20 percent and is thus as strong as the governing party SPD.
Merz blamed the federal government for the AfD’s poll high. “If the federal government’s policy now strengthens the AfD again, then the opposition cannot halve it,” said the Union faction leader. Parts of the government no longer correctly perceive the mood of the population and have “largely lost contact with the population,” criticized Merz.
“It was never a “magic formula””
In November 2018, the then applicant for the CDU presidency said: “I dare to halve the AfD – that works.” He would not repeat this formulation today, said Merz in the “t-online” interview. “It was never a “magic formula”, but an assessment four years ago,” he said. He formulated his claim under completely different circumstances at the time – and has not repeated it for four years: “That’s the situation today – and I don’t enjoy it,” emphasized the CDU chairman.
The AfD wants to counter Merz with a “clear course with measure and middle”. We are not in an outbidding competition with others, and we are not a fundamental opposition either,” he said.
The strength of the AfD was also discussed yesterday at a meeting between Merz and the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster. “Concerns about the rising poll numbers of the AfD and the need for a strong firewall were discussed,” said the Central Council on Twitter. Schuster and Merz agreed “that it is of great importance to defend democratic values and to oppose any form of extremism”.