However, he remained silent on one topic in his almost hour-long speech: despite the Union sisters' sworn closeness, he did not reveal how he felt about the CSU's proposal to make the Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner federal president.
Merz greeted Aigner with two kisses on the cheek as he entered the Munich exhibition hall. At the start of his speech, he mentioned it right after Prime Minister and CSU leader Markus Söder - triggering a storm of cheers from the delegates, almost all of whom rose from their seats. Aigner had to stand up again and wave into the hall - like the day before, when Söder nominated her again for the post of Federal President.
The decision will be “made somewhere else,” said Söder. But “that would be a great thing.” Merz didn’t say a word about it. Shortly before the party conference, the CDU leadership tried to slow down the CSU. “The CDU has not given up its claim to nominate a candidate from its ranks,” said party circles.
Merz was warmly welcomed by the delegates and celebrated with almost four minutes of standing applause after his speech. The applause was almost as long as that for CSU boss Söder the day before.
Söder accompanied him into the hall to "Eye of the Tiger", the famous theme music of the boxing film "Rocky III" from 1982, played live by a real Bavarian brass band in typical fashion. Merz thanked everyone for the warm welcome. CSU party conferences are always something special.
Merz admitted that the Union was in a difficult situation. "There is no exclusive claim to the Chancellery." The CDU and CSU must stand closer together today than ever before in order not to leave the country to extremist forces. Extremists – left and right – will always have a bitter opponent in the Union, emphasized the Chancellor. For the Union, freedom instead of extremism always applies. It must therefore apply to everyone that cooperation with the AfD is also excluded. "Anyone who thinks they can give these people their vote has no place in our Union."
Merz praised CSU boss Söder, who spoke clearly and fought for the Union's convictions. And he paid tribute to all CSU federal ministers individually: Alexander Dobrindt (Interior Affairs), Dorothee Bär (Research) and Alois Rainer (Agriculture). He described the CSU as a “special kind of doppelganger” of the CDU. »We have something that holds us together. Above all, we are aware that we are stronger together than alone.«
Merz once again insisted on quickly implementing the reform package that was launched in July. "We don't need these reforms at some point, we need these reforms now." The economy is under pressure, people are suffering from increased prices and the social security systems are facing enormous challenges. At the same time, the government continues to face “difficult tasks” when it comes to pensions, health and care.
“We, the Union, in particular, will be judged by whether we have succeeded in actually implementing these reforms,” warned the Chancellor. He also addressed the coalition partner SPD directly: “What we agreed upon together applies. And what we have agreed to together should now be implemented quickly." For him, the first priority is: "We have to get our economy back on track for growth. We need companies to invest. We need a competitive industry. And I never tire of repeating again and again: Germany must remain an industrial country," said Merz.
He also reiterated the goal of reducing energy costs in Germany for all consumers in the coming year. "If it somehow works, and I think it does, the electricity tax has to come down so that people have more money in their pockets again," said the CDU leader.
