GERMANY’S CONSERVATIVES NOMINATE MERZ FOR NEXT ELECTION – North Rhine-Westphalia Premier also backs Merz
The head of Bavaria’s conservatives, Markus Soeder, says that the leaders of Germany’s conservatives have agreed to nominate Christian Democrat (CDU) chief Friedrich Merz to run as chancellor in next year’s federal election.
“There is a decision. Friedrich Merz will be the one,” said Christian Social Union (CSU) leader Soeder at a joint news conference with Merz, adding he had his full backing.
By standing aside, Soeder cleared the way for Merz, 68, who became party chief in 2022 after Angela Merkel’s 16-year hold on the chancellery. In particular, he has called for a tougher line on migration.
The conservative bloc is leading opinion polls, with many surveys putting it ahead of the combined support for the three parties in Social Democrat (SPD) Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition with the Greens and Free Democrats (FDP).
The nomination still requires the conservative parties’ approval but the candidacy is all but sealed as another possible rival, North Rhine-Westphalia Premier, Hendrik Wuest, said he would not join the race and backed Merz.
