Söder rules out the CSU's overthrow of the chancellor - pressure on Merz is growing

In view of growing criticism of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) from many Union politicians and speculation about a change in the Chancellery, CSU leader Markus Söder has ruled out his party's overthrow. “Absolutely not from the CSU,” Söder told the Bild newspaper when asked about the fall of the chancellor.

When asked whether he ruled out that this came from the CDU, Söder said: "I'm not responsible for the CDU, I'm not the chairman. But I can say that for the CSU."

When asked whether Merz was still the right chancellor, Söder replied: "Yes, he supports the reforms."

Merz under massive pressure

After the CDU election debacle in Saxony-Anhalt, Merz is under massive pressure, and the Chancellor and CDU leader is being held partly responsible for his party's poor performance. It was only in July that Merz was rated worse than any chancellor before him on ARD-DeutschlandTrend. Five out of six respondents were dissatisfied with their work. The reputation of his black-red coalition is at a low point. Next week there will be elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin - the results could also decide on Merz's political future.

Regarding rumors that the Union Prime Minister could ask Chancellor Merz to resign after the elections in a week, he said: "Of course it is the case that people are talking about parties and people." But the Union would do well to stand together and not let the AfD tear them apart.

Söder points to the SPD

Especially since, from Söder's point of view, a change at the top of the government would change little: "No matter who would step in immediately if you went through the alternatives, they would first come out with the same problems - with an SPD that is having difficulty with reforms," he said. He cited the issues of social abuse, cold progression and high energy prices that need to be addressed. Labor Minister Bärbel Bas must now “finally get going”. The SPD politician had announced that she would implement an action plan against social abuse by the end of the year.

More speed in reforms - that is the necessary conclusion for Söder: "It is very clear to me what follows from Saxony-Anhalt: Berlin has to make a significant step forward, said the CSU politician and Bavarian Prime Minister. The results so far are too meager and not enough, "because this was the biggest election in German history, and we have to draw conclusions from that."