Kanzler-Krise: CDU-Ministerpräsidenten stützen Merz

A total of eight CDU state premieres have expressed support for CDU Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the debate surrounding his political future. In a joint statement released four days before two challenging CDU state elections, the premieres pledged to work together with the chancellor to address the people's concerns and contribute to the common goal.

They emphasized that the way to regain public trust in the Christian Democratic Party lies in listening and taking political action, not through personnel disputes. The CDU's recent electoral setback in Saxony-Anhalt had put significant pressure on Merz's position as chancellor. There has been speculation in recent days about whether he can remain in office.

Powerful regional leaders had previously refrained from participating in the discussion, but now, with a clear rejection of minority governments, they have publicly stood by Merz. The upcoming state elections on Sunday could inject new energy into the debate. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the CDU risks falling below the five-percent threshold, while in Berlin, the party could lose the position of governing mayor, potentially creating a new situation.

Merz invited a special session of the party's presidium to the Conrad-Adenauer-House in Berlin on Sunday evening. Additional meetings of the CDU's top leadership bodies are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, when the Bundestag faction will convene. It is expected that within these three days, it will be decided whether and how Friedrich Merz will continue as chancellor and CDU leader.

Merz praised the support of the state premieres, stating that their declaration demonstrates their responsibility for Germany. The focus of the current domestic situation is stability and credibility in the renewal of the country. Merz called for "objectivity and the confidence of citizens in the reform process" together with the state premieres.

The initiative came from Rhineland-Palatinate State Premier Gordon Schnieder, who had previously criticized Merz for removing his brother, Transportation Minister Patrick Schnieder, from the cabinet during the summer's personnel reshuffle. The statement is also supported by North Rhine-Westphalia State Premier Hendrik Wüst, who is also considered a potential successor to Merz.

Gordon Schnieder stated that the escalation of the discussion over the weekend was the trigger for his involvement. The people were rightfully waiting for problems to be resolved. "We cannot let public conflict dissolve within the party, as it should only be about people and discussions about them," Schnieder explained. A clear rejection of a minority government was announced by the state premieres, emphasizing the need for a stable and action-oriented federal government with its own majority in the Bundestag.

The CDU has stood since its establishment as the party that embodies the "German coalition democracy success model." With the upcoming elections in other European countries next year, the focus will be on a stable and strong Germany within a united Europe. The CDU is ready to cooperate with all democratic forces. This statement initially seems to reaffirm the party's decision from 2018, which excluded a coalition with left-wing and AfD parties.

However, it also clarifies that the CDU is not tied to a coalition with the SPD and that a coalition including the Greens is also possible. The third point addresses the content of the policy. Germany needs reliability and decisive action. Confidence will return when politics addresses the issues and questions that matter to people in their daily lives, according to the statement.

The wording is quite specific. Merz envisions a "test of the coalition" as a trial for the alliance. He believes that both the SPD and the Union must prove their willingness to reform. "I hope for insight, I hope for a good discussion... and then for appropriate actions." The SPD politicians question the backing for Merz, as the statement only refers to the "chancellor" without specifically mentioning Merz.