Söder Seeks Re-election as CSU Leader Amidst Coalition Concerns and Declining Poll Numbers
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A critical party conference looms for Markus Söder, as the CSU prepares to re-elect its leader this Friday amidst a backdrop of national political seriousness and a need to demonstrate unity. while a challenge to Söder’s leadership isn’t anticipated, the margin of victory will be closely watched as a barometer of party confidence, especially as Bavaria faces local elections in March.
A Shift in tone from the “Stinger King”
In a surprising turn, Söder recently described himself as “probably the friendliest CSU chairman in decades,” a statement prompted by a challenge from ARD presenter Caren Miosga regarding the visibility of the coalition’s successes. This self-assessment marks a notable departure from Söder’s past penchant for sharp criticism, even dismissing classic games as “rather unnecessary at the moment.”
Söder is walking a tightrope, attempting to showcase the coalition’s achievements while subtly distancing the CSU from any perceived failures.He highlighted the coalition’s progress on key issues like migration and economic policy during a joint press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and SPD leaders Bärbel Bas and lars Klingbeil on Thursday. He lauded the coalition as “much better than its reputation,” while concurrently acknowledging that the economic benefits of recent decisions won’t be fully realized until next year.
A subtle critique emerged when Söder referenced “a bit of a shake-up last week,” alluding to the contentious pension decision within the Bundestag – a dispute primarily between the CDU and SPD. He characterized the situation as involving “a few careless mistakes,” a veiled jab at his coalition partners. Despite these subtle tensions, Söder emphasized the CSU’s reliability within the coalition, stating, “Whenever we are called upon, we deliver.”
Gauging Support and Facing internal Challenges
Söder is expected to receive strong support at the party conference, but a result below 90% would be interpreted as a notable lack of confidence. Two years ago, he secured over 96% of the vote, his highest approval rating to date.Though, concerns persist within the CSU regarding Söder’s leadership style and a perceived tendency to operate as a “one-man show.”
Beyond questions of power dynamics, substantive policy disagreements also exist. The abolition of the child start-up allowance remains controversial in Bavaria, with some municipalities advocating for the introduction of a tourist tax – currently prohibited in the state. Furthermore, Söder’s frequent self-promotion on social media has drawn criticism from within the party. manfred Weber, head of the European people’s Party and CSU vice-president, emphasized the need for the party to broaden its visibility, stating, “Social media is important…but a convincing program is for the long-term political success of our party.”
Polling Data Offers Mixed Signals
Recent polling data presents a mixed outlook for the CSU. while a survey conducted on Thursday indicated a potential increase in support for the party in the upcoming local elections – rising to 40%, three points higher than in 2023 – Söder remains cautious about setting specific electoral goals. He dismissed comparisons to the CDU’s performance in North rhine-Westphalia, questioning the relevance of that region’s political landscape to Bavaria. Söder published the results of the CSU-commissioned survey on Instagram, underscoring his continued reliance on social media for messaging.
Looking ahead, Chancellor Merz is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the end of the CSU party conference on Saturday, signaling a renewed emphasis on CDU-CSU unity.Though, Söder will likely use the prospect to subtly suggest that his leadership would avoid the “reckless mistakes” of other potential chancellors. The CSU’s willingness to act as a stabilizing force within the coalition underscores the seriousness of the current political climate.
Those: ntv.de
