His life’s work is Bavaria: CSU boss Markus Söder has declared that he definitely does not want to become the Union’s candidate for chancellor. The subject of the chancellor’s office is done for him.
According to his own statements, Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder definitely does not want to become the Union Chancellor candidate for the Bundestag elections. In the ZDF program “Markus Lanz” Söder said: “For me the topic is done.” His mission in life is Bavaria.
When asked whether he would reject the offer to run for Chancellor even if it came, Söder said: “Apart from the fact that it doesn’t come: I’m not available there.” From today’s perspective, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who is also chairman of the Union faction in the Bundestag, has the best chances, said Söder with a view to a candidacy. “We work really, really well together. It’s a very good cooperation.”
Together they have stabilized the Union. “That’s why, from my point of view, he is of course the natural candidate to be party leader and parliamentary group leader.” In the end, the CDU first decides who to propose, and then the two party leaders decide.
Power struggle between Söder and Laschet 2021
The next federal election is in 2025. Before the 2021 federal election, the power struggle between Söder and the then CDU leader Armin Laschet for the chancellor candidacy almost led to the rupture of the Union – and ultimately also to the fact that with Olaf Scholz, a social democrat chancellor and a red one -green-yellow government is in power.
CDU boss Merz had recently commented on the K question. He is pleased that some of his colleagues would see him in the role of the top candidate. A decision will not be made until late summer 2024, around a year before the next federal election.
In surveys, the Union is currently between 27 and 31 percent – and thus well ahead of the SPD with up to 21 percent or the Greens with up to 18 percent. In Bavaria, a new state parliament will be elected in autumn. The CSU wants to choose Söder as the top candidate on Saturday.
With information from Hans-Joachim Vieweger, ARD Berlin