CDU in Sachsen-Anhalt: Müller geht nach Merz-Kritik in die Offensive

Sepp Müller, the Union-Fraktionsvize President of the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt, is going on the offensive in response to criticism from Union Chairman Friedrich Merz. Müller aims to secure the leadership of the CDU state party in the upcoming Landtag election and will run on a clear line of distinction against both the far left and far right.

He stated, "I am running as State Chairperson," after a CDU Landtag executive session in Magdeburg. As the deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU Bundestag faction, Müller emphasized the need to defend democracy in the center, stating that there can be no cooperation with the extreme left or the extreme right. He further emphasized that those who are open to all sides are not entirely reliable.

The CDU must regain credibility, Müller stressed, and he is grateful to Landesvorstand leader Sven Schulze for initiating a new beginning for their state party. Schulze, who had announced a leadership election in the fall, stated that it would occur either in late November or early December. Schulze declined to comment further on whether he would run for the presidency again.

Schulze, who took over as Landesvorsitzender in January 2021 following the resignation of Reiner Haseloff, had led the CDU to victory in the previous Landtag election, but saw its share of the vote drop from 37.1% in 2021 to 17.2% in the latest election. The CDU's parliamentary faction dwindled from 40 to 15 members. In light of these developments, Merz had publicly criticized Müller in the hours preceding his announcement, stating that he had warned party bodies that a vice-chairman of the Bundestag faction could undermine the party's candidate just days before the election.

Müller had suggested that if the polls accurately predicted the election results, AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund would have a mandate to form a government. While some in the CDU may have seen this sentiment similarly, many viewed it as a disruption in the run-up to the election. Müller rejected Merz's criticism, stating that he did not agree with Merz's remarks and that the broad majority of their state party did not.

He further emphasized that as the Union's deputy Fraktionsvorsitzender in the Bundestag, he would contribute to the ongoing reforms and expressed full support for Merz's stance. Schulze confirmed that Müller's statements before the election were also discussed in the executive session, but noted that while people may have different opinions, the party must resolve these matters internally.

Schulze did not elaborate further on this matter. Schulze, who assumed the position in January 2021 following Haseloff's departure, had previously served as Minister of Economics from November 2025. Following Haseloff's resignation in January 2026, Schulze became the state government's chief executive. Even ahead of the election, Landtag members Eva Feußner and the Young Union had called for greater reforms within the state party.

The CDU's election campaign had been heavily focused on Schulze's character, despite the CDU having governed in various configurations in Saxony-Anhalt for the past 24 years. The AfD's Ulrich Siegmund, who won in the last election, plans to seek a majority among other factions and individual members. His declared goal is to quickly establish a stable majority in the Landtag that can be relied upon.

Siegmund stated that this should be done "provided that core positions on migration and internal security are implemented 100%." Müller accused Siegmund of already breaking his initial election promise to secure an absolute majority. "He said he wanted to have an absolute majority and is now working with Sahra Wagenknecht," Müller said.