Kommentar: Die letzte Chance von Markus Söder auf das Kanzleramt

In the aftermath of the Saxony-Anhalt elections, the CDU finds itself at a critical juncture. Party leader Friedrich Merz is left shaken by the condition of the conservative movement. Even former heavyweight Thomas de Maizière speaks of this being the gravest crisis since the "donations scandal" under Helmut Kohl. While crises are not uncommon for the CDU, each one creates new opportunities for power play.

Twenty-five years ago, a German woman from the Protestant community rose to the party's top position through a crisis. Angela Merkel had navigated the so-called "Anden Pact," maneuvering powerful CDU men from the West who had been supported by each other within the Young Union for years.

Today, power games are once again in play within the CDU. The scenario is merely a theoretical discussion for now, with the Union's key state governors, notably Friedrich Merz, merely expressing their loyalty. The rule seems to be: "He was elected for four years." This is a factual statement, not a claim to power. However, the Union is filled with fear that the party might follow the political trend of the SPD, with all the consequences, especially for the members who begin to fear for their mandates.