Monday 28 December 2020
K question at the Union
Merz open to a later decision
In mid-January, the CDU wants to end its stalemate in the search for a new chairman. The next open question, however, is already in the room: Who will be the candidate for chancellor? That could offer new explosives.
CDU chairman Friedrich Merz has shown himself to be open to a later decision on the Union's candidacy for chancellor. He was "more of the opinion that we should decide that soon," said Merz. "But there are also good arguments to say that we should do this together with the CSU at a somewhat later point in time." After his possible election as CDU chairman, he will talk calmly with CSU chairman Markus Söder about the schedule for the election of candidates.
The key question is: "How far are we in terms of content and concept in our work?" CDU and CSU would have to go into the federal election campaign together in terms of personnel and content, said Merz. The Union is facing a very tough election campaign. "That is why the headline is above everything: What is the optimal setup, both in terms of personnel and content for both parties – CDU and CSU."
Merz is running for the successor to party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer at the CDU online party conference on January 16. North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Armin Laschet and foreign politician Norbert Röttgen also want to become party leaders. "Before anything is proclaimed, we talk to each other," assured Merz with a view to the CSU. "I'm not one of those who say: access rights. Nobody has access rights." The CDU and CSU are equal partners, albeit of different sizes, in a parliamentary group. "This group of factions is worth so much that I do not endanger it by making preliminary decisions."
Talking to one another opens up two options, said the former Union parliamentary group leader, also against the background of the state elections in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg in mid-March. "Either we do it relatively quickly. There are a few things that speak for it. Or we take a little more time. However, we always have to keep in mind that in January there are only eight months left before the general election."
He had sympathy for the idea of a joint face-to-face event with the CSU, "where we could then make another public nomination together," said Merz. Such an event needs messages, perhaps also personnel and material decisions. This means that one can "go into the first phase of the election campaign well prepared".
Good relationship with Söder
Merz described his relationship with CSU boss Markus Söder as very good. He had repeatedly had important and long discussions with the Bavarian Prime Minister. What he really appreciates about Söder is "that he thinks strategically and that he is very open and very critical with all arguments and weighs them up". When asked whether Söder could also be Chancellor, Merz said: "There are at least two Prime Ministers in Germany who, based on the job description, always come into question. They are the North Rhine-Westphalian and the Bavarian."
With a view to the party congress on January 16, at which the party leader is to be elected online and then confirmed by postal vote, Merz said he would try to reach the 1001 delegates at home at their computers emotionally. "I will prepare for it and will also try to reach the soul of the party." In all likelihood, he will speak completely freely and "follow my inner voice, which is of course prepared, and address all the topics that I consider important". Nevertheless, he will try to "transmit some emotionality to the delegates through the camera," said Merz. The party rightly expects "a bit of emotionality". In such a digital form, this is "naturally much more difficult to realize than if we all saw each other".
When asked whether a number of delegates would only decide during the introductory speeches of the candidates with the online format, similar to a face-to-face party congress, Merz was cautious. He reckons that around 20 percent of the delegates have not yet decided and are impressed by the speeches. "But that could also be the decisive number of delegates for the result."
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