Status: 03.09.2024 16:49
The CDU and CSU had agreed to decide on the candidate for chancellor in late summer, but not before the state elections in Brandenburg. CSU leader Söder has now declared his willingness – remarkable timing.
He is without a doubt self-confident: Markus Söder, the Prime Minister of Bavaria. This was also heard again when he spoke in the beer tent at the so-called Gillamoos Festival in Abensberg about how those who live in Bavaria are particularly clever and that most of the super brains live there.
In any case, Söder himself obviously thought it was wise to say clearly and unambiguously on this day that he wanted to be the CDU and CSU’s candidate for chancellor. Although being prime minister was the best job for him, he would not shy away from taking on responsibility for the country.
Merz responds calmly
He wants to run for chancellor for the Union in order to overthrow Olaf Scholz and take over the country. The festival tent in Bavaria pricked up its ears and was enthusiastic – unlike the Konrad Adenauer House in Berlin.
There, Friedrich Merz did not react at all, but later, in response to a question from a correspondent from the ARD Capital Studio to answer calmly. Merz said that what Söder had said in the beer tent was not newsworthy, at least that was what he usually said.
And “most of the time” is a good description, because Söder is known for not always saying the same thing, but for changing his perspective. Sometimes his place is in Bavaria, then he sees himself in Berlin, like in 2021. And now he apparently wants to try his hand at running for chancellor again and has made it clear and unambiguous – which is certainly newsworthy, unlike what Friedrich Merz portrays.
Notable time
Söder had thought of a remarkable time for his offer: While he was speaking in the Bavarian festival tent, Merz was in Berlin sorting out the difficult situation of his party after the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia.
Should the CDU form a coalition with Sahra Wagenknecht? How should it relate to the Left? Söder left Merz to his problems and declared openly that he felt called to greater things.
The fact that he failed to become the Union’s candidate for chancellor last time, in 2021, still bothers him today. “Back then, it was the wrong candidate,” he shouts into the hall. Armin Laschet and not him, Markus Söder.
Will it turn out differently this time? That will be decided by Friedrich Merz, who is similarly self-confident, albeit with weaker poll ratings, but with the party membership card of the far larger CDU.
Decision in late summer
Merz is the natural candidate if he wants to. And nobody really doubts that, but Merz has not yet made a statement. He does not want to be pressured by Söder and points out that the decision will be made in late summer, and that has only just begun. An attempt by the CDU party chairman to sideline the discussion about the K question that has flared up at an inopportune time.
In vain. “Söder wants” – the message was out. Söder wants to know again, if he should. Merz and Söder want to make this decision together, just like last time, when it went completely wrong and a different procedure was announced, perhaps with the participation of party members. But that never came to fruition, so it will again be up to the boss to choose the candidate.
Wüst holds back
“We are two strong party leaders,” says Söder. “And we will make one candidate out of these two leaders.” Söder is thus ruling out one: Hendrik Wüst.
This is not surprising, as Söder has been railing against the Greens, against black-green coalitions and thus also against the government of his perceived opponent in North Rhine-Westphalia for weeks. Wüst himself is remaining dignifiedly reserved. It is now Friedrich Merz’s turn.
