Tuesday, September 28, 2021
“It’s all just sick”
CDU MPs fear that faction will “split up”
From Frauke Niemeyer
Who should get the chief post in the parliamentary group? That should actually be decided today, but causes so much noise in advance that MPs want to pull the rip cord.
In the CDU, the power party, there is a growing danger that there will soon be hardly any powerful posts available. As soon as the Union ends up in the opposition, if the SPD, the Greens and the FDP actually agree on the “traffic light” coalition model, all Berlin ministerial posts are gone and the parliamentary group in the Bundestag in particular still has an influence on politics. No wonder that a number of CDU members from the front row are supposed to be squinting at the top positions there.
But: There can only be one, and that should actually be elected today. In the afternoon the new Union parliamentary group meets for the constituent meeting. Sharply shrunk, from 246 to 196 MPs, which is why the mood is likely to be moderate anyway. And now there is also the threat of quarrels and possibly a fight vote on the position that has become so extremely attractive due to the failure of the Union. Comment from a member of parliament: “This is all just sick”.
There are probably enough interested parties for the chief position in the parliamentary group: Health Minister Jens Spahn, who has to fear that from being a pandemic on Friday, he will suddenly become a normal MP. Norbert Röttgen, whose fight for party leadership failed at the beginning of the year because of Armin Laschet. Ralph Brinkhaus, who has held the office so far and wants to keep it, even if he is not particularly popular with parts of the parliamentary group. And finally, Chancellor candidate and party leader Laschet. If it doesn’t work out with the Chancellery, he can still secure the greatest possible power in the opposition in this way.
However, Laschet, who is made at least partly responsible for the dwarfing of the Union faction, might not have the best chances in a vote just today. Calculation therefore: Better to have Brinkhaus re-elected now, who could then also take part in exploratory talks – but with a provisional term of office of only three months, i.e. for the phase of coalition negotiations.
Continuity, yes, but not for too long
One can also justify this: his, Laschets, opinion is “that it is right in this phase of uncertainty who will rule in the future and who will be the opposition” to have continuity in the parliamentary group. So much for the statement made by the CDU boss yesterday at his appearance after meetings of the party executive and presidium. This continuity is “embodied by Ralph Brinkhaus”.
According to Laschet’s taste, however, it shouldn’t be too continuous. So the limitation to three months so that the office could then be filled again – possibly with himself? But Spahn, Röttgen or whoever is still looking for a job could stand for election at the end of the year.
No wonder that Brinkhaus is not enthusiastic about this idea. In a one-on-one conversation with Laschet, he is said to have declared that he would run for one year today. His argument, as reported from CDU circles: Alexander Dobrindt is also in office for a year as CSU regional group leader. He needs a position at eye level and not squeezed into a quarter.
Internally, some CDU MPs fear that there will be a clash in the parliamentary group meeting today. The idea to prevent this is a classic from the tactics book of politics: a point of order. Before the election for the parliamentary group chairmanship, it could first be voted on for how long the new boss should be elected at all. Then at least it would be clear beforehand what it is about.
In parliamentary groups, it is certain that Röttgen would immediately raise his finger if the chief post was awarded for a year. Spahn would then have to decide quickly whether he would also be a candidate. Otherwise this power option would be occupied until autumn 2022. What is also feared: The parliamentary group could even before it has determined its new boss, completely dismantle, such worried voices. That would be a dramatic debut for the constituent session. From a safe distance, CSU boss Markus Söder apparently viewed the scuffles. From party circles it is said that he said at the meeting of the regional group today that he also does not know “what is happening there – anything is possible”.