2024-07-13 03:47:51
Bavaria’s Prime Minister could imagine running for chancellor. But only if he were forced to.
The Bavarian Prime Minister and CSU Chairman Markus Söder has not ruled out a candidacy for chancellor. “That would be something that could be an exciting task from a Bavarian’s point of view,” said Söder in the “Politicians’ Grill” format of the TV channel Welt, which will be broadcast on Friday. Söder made it clear, however, that he will not seek the candidacy for chancellor on his own initiative: “If it had to be and you were forced to, then you would have to think about it.”
When asked what circumstances could prompt him to do so, the CSU leader replied: “That Friedrich Merz asked me.” Söder reiterated that the decision on the Union’s candidate for chancellor would be made jointly by him and Merz after the state elections in the fall and that Merz was the clear favorite.
He also praised the collaboration with the CDU leader. “It’s really going great. I have a lot of respect for him. We both get along very well – better than we thought we would, if I’m honest.”
Söder rejected speculation in the media that the CSU could lay claim to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “It is a completely absurd idea to talk about the Federal President now.” He will not be elected until 2027.