{
  "id": 11018175,
  "title": "Union: Söder: Friedrich Merz is Chancellor and remains Chancellor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/union-soder-friedrich-merz-ist-kanzler-und-bleibt-kanzler",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-30T19:39:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/union-soeder-friedrich-merz-ist-kanzler-und-bleibt-kanzler/100258784.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "CSU leader Markus Söder has expressed his confidence that Friedrich Merz will remain Chancellor, citing the difficulty of removing a Chancellor under German constitutional law. Söder made the comments in a television interview in Bavaria, stating that a change in Chancellors could lead to a coalition debacle and even new elections. He also discussed the upcoming nomination for the successor to outgoing President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, expressing hope for a decision in a few weeks and supporting Ilse Aigner, the President of the Bavarian State Parliament, as a potential candidate. Söder emphasized that CDU/CSU and SPD have a majority in the Federal Convention and should use it to choose a female candidate, as previously stated by the CDU.",
  "summary": "The results of the recent elections had fueled speculation about a chancellor swap. CSU chief Söder now finds clear words. However, he wants another personnel question to be clarified soon.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Geldanlage: Wettanleger haben auf das Ende von Kanzler Merz spekuliert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/geldanlage-wettanleger-haben-auf-das-ende-von-kanzler-merz-spekuliert",
        "published": "2026-09-30T05:40:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}