Söder defends Merz after the CDU debacle in Saxony-Anhalt

After the CDU election debacle in Saxony-Anhalt, CSU boss Markus Söder clearly countered speculation and rumors about a possible change of the Federal Chancellor. “No matter who would move in immediately if you went through the alternatives, they would initially come out with the same problems - with an SPD that is having difficulty with reforms,” said Söder, who is also Bavarian Prime Minister, to “Bild am Sonntag”.

In the state elections last Sunday, the AfD received by far the most votes in Saxony-Anhalt with almost 44 percent, but fell short of an absolute majority. The CDU fell by almost 20 percentage points to 17.2 percent. In a week there will be elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin - today there will be a local election in Lower Saxony. The results could also have a say in the political future of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU).

Söder thinks Merz is the right man

When asked whether Merz was still the right man to lead a government that wanted to advance reforms, Söder replied: "Yes, he supports the reforms." 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. The CSU will “under no circumstances” overthrow the chancellor. And what about the CDU? “I am not responsible for the CDU, I am not the chairman,” said the CSU boss.

Söder responded cautiously to the question of whether the black-red federal government would hold until 2029 as planned: “I hope so.” In Söder's opinion, there is a campaign against Merz that is "already brutal." On Sunday, both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin heavily promoted the AfD. “The whole thing is massively supported online and elsewhere, and the image certainly suffers as a result.” But Merz also knows that in some places you can optimize both your work and your own communication.

Request to SPD Labor Minister Bas

It is clear that the federal government has to “take a significant step forward,” said Söder. The results so far are too meager. “Because that was the biggest election in German history, and we have to draw conclusions from that,” he said, referring to Saxony-Anhalt. He cited the issues of social abuse, cold progression and high energy prices that need to be addressed. “We simply spend too much money on incorrect social spending,” said Söder. Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) must now “finally get going”. Bas had announced that he would implement an action plan against social abuse by the end of the year.