{
  "id": 17016507,
  "title": "Morning Briefing: How many leadership deficits can a Chancellor have?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/morning-briefing-wie-viele-fuhrungsdefizite-darf-ein-bundeskanzler",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-29T05:12:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/meinung/morningbriefing/morning-briefing-wie-viele-fuehrungsdefizite-darf-ein-bundeskanzler-haben/100265724.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Good morning, dear readers, as the Bundesversammlung elected Frank-Walter Steinmeier as Bundespräsident for a second term on February 13, 2022, it has become clear that he will need a successor in January 2027. Since the CDU won the last Bundestag election nearly two years ago, it is evident that they will be the strongest faction in the Bundesversammlung and able to propose a new Bundespräsident. As we approach this Bundesversammlung, only one center party remains without an expressed preference for a candidate: the CDU. Consequently, suspicion arises even within the CDU, similar to doubts that have previously surrounded other key figures. Chancellor Merz cannot organize decisions anymore. As of yesterday, it is expected that nothing will change before November 9. This is due to the need for clarification by Friedrich Merz's circle when they were faced with a clarification during an Asia trip. Previously, media reported that he favored the CDU-state parliament group leader Ines Claus in Hesse. However, mentioning the name Claus in connection with the term Bundespräsident shows how misguided the debate is. Or how often you have caught yourself thinking that this chaotic country urgently needs Ines Claus at the top?",
  "summary": "The election of the Federal President is coming up, and the Chancellor could use this opportunity to appoint a candidate of his choice. But instead, he is botching the process. How many leadership deficits can a head of government have?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}