Friedrich Merz and the Okay-question: CDU candidate for chancellor after European elections? – 2024-06-13 05:04:46

by times news cr

2024-06-13 05:04:46

After the European elections, Friedrich Merz sees his course as get together chief confirmed. This could give him a lift for the Okay query within the autumn. However is it sufficient for every part to run easily? There’s already unrest within the background once more.

Friedrich Merz furrows his forehead and narrows his eyes just a little. It appears as if the CDU chief is considering for a second about whether or not he actually desires to say what goes by his head. Then he does it anyway: “We achieved an election consequence that was actually the decrease restrict for me,” explains Merz. The get together can not now sit again. The consequence is just not passable, particularly within the East.

It’s Monday afternoon after the European elections. And Merz all of a sudden sounds very reflective.

Positive, he continues to emphasise his personal election victory. He nonetheless speaks of a “catastrophe” for the site visitors gentle coalition. And he’s clearly essential of the Chancellor. However he additionally questions why the AfD particularly is benefiting from the dissatisfaction with the SPD, the Greens and the FDP. Merz sounded very totally different the night earlier than. He spoke of a “nice success”. He does not appear to be totally happy in any case.

Issues are literally going properly for Merz in the meanwhile. The CDU chief is properly established throughout the get together, the voices of his critics have change into quieter – and with regards to the query of who would be the Union’s candidate for chancellor, every part appears to be pointing in the direction of the person from Sauerland. Merz made few to no errors within the European election marketing campaign. The uncontrolled hardliner that everybody warned about? He hasn’t appeared not too long ago.

Then again, Olaf Scholz has apparently change into such a burden for the SPD that Merz might have an opportunity of beating him in an election for the primary time. This was one thing that had lengthy been doubted – even within the Union.

Merz on Monday after the European elections: The consequence (30 p.c) is the “decrease restrict”. (Supply: IMAGO/M. Popow/imago)

The election victory on Sunday ought to now give Merz a lift and additional consolidate his place. However the state of affairs is totally different. There’s already unrest within the background. Nervousness prevails not solely within the get together, but additionally in components of the get together management. In fact, the reactions to the election consequence have proven how unstable the state of affairs nonetheless is. Merz should not solely take into consideration the “if” but additionally the “how” of the Okay query. To this point, there appears to be no actual roadmap for this. And that’s precisely what might change into actually harmful.

Anybody who desires to know the way tense the state of affairs within the Union is in the meanwhile can merely ask concerning the outcomes of the European elections. After the basic “a superb consequence” and “we will construct on that” phrases, it does not take lengthy for it to change into clear that many had really hoped for extra. On the CDU federal govt board assembly on Monday, one individual dared to talk out: Johannes Steiniger criticized that the election marketing campaign ought to have gone higher. The marketing campaign was flat. That is what individuals reported to t-online. Criticism was not lengthy in coming from CSU circles both. There was no actual problem for any get together, they mentioned. Not even their very own. The federal election ought to go higher.

Already on Sunday night, the temper within the Konrad Adenauer Home threatened to vary for a second. When the numbers have been proven on the display screen, the room fell silent. This was partly as a result of solely the CDU consequence was proven at first, which was 23.5 p.c. Solely when the CSU’s percentages (6 p.c) have been added did applause escape. By CDU requirements, it was subdued.

Restrained pleasure: The CDU election get together within the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus in Berlin. (Supply: Fabian Sommer/dpa/dpa-bilder)

Should you take heed to the get together’s ranks afterwards, enthusiasm is restricted. Individuals are ready anxiously for the Union to crack the 30 p.c mark within the up to date outcomes. It’s the magic restrict. Basic Secretary Carsten Linnemann retains wanting nervously at his cellular phone. Many others do the identical. In the long run, it’s a good touchdown. 30.0 p.c – that was essential for Merz. In spite of everything, it was the minimal.

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