Dissatisfaction with Chancellor Merz is growing: First MPs are calling for a new departure

Dissatisfaction with the Chancellor is growing. The first MPs publicly oppose him. They are calling for “a new departure and more substance”. What's next for Merz?

Berlin. The first members of the Bundestag are openly opposing Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz. "A new departure and more substance are needed. This applies to the federal government as well as to Germany's CDU," said Saxon Bundestag member Florian Oest to the Handelsblatt.

Oest is one of the district chairmen who, in view of the CDU's election debacle in Saxony-Anhalt and the Union's weak poll numbers in the federal government, are calling for a district chairmen's conference to be called "as soon as possible". All Saxon district chairmen sent a corresponding letter to Merz and CDU General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann on Friday.

The current situation does not allow for any delay, Oest explained the move. “For this reason, we need to meet quickly for a district chairman’s conference and clarify things.”

Oest is chairman of the CDU in the Görlitz district. The Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer also comes from the region. “The politics of small steps frustrates the people in our country,” said Oest, explaining the situation on site. It always boils down to the same five points: affordable energy, less regulation, lower non-wage labor costs and investments in infrastructure and technological progress. “These are the prerequisites for new economic power and a secure, social and strong state,” said Oest.

He called for an “Agenda 2030” in which the following applies: “Social is what strengthens the economy,” as Oest put it.

“He must first decide for himself whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz has the strength for this departure,” Oest continued. But one thing is clear: “A CDU chancellor must give the country orientation and concretely solve the problems.”

The East Germans wanted to celebrate 40 years of German unity in 2030. “We must celebrate this anniversary with joy, pride and unity,” said the district chairman.