Soso, so Markus Söder no longer wants to be a candidate for chancellor. The issue is “finished” for him, he asserts, even alongside Friedrich Merz, the alleged competitor, if the matter weren’t settled for Söder. For the CSU chairman, however, the following applies: If he says he no longer has any ambitions, then you can be sure that he still has some.
When he says that “normally” the CDU has priority over the CSU, then it’s usually an exception. This will happen at the latest when Söder achieves an election result in October that the CSU is convinced will show the CDU again how to win elections above forty percent.
Why so reserved?
What is striking about the Söder-Merz harmony concept is Merz’s reluctance. Making a decision “already” in autumn 2024 based on the experience of the past messed-up freestyle can be well justified. But Merz could have registered his claim now, maybe had to. It would have been a good opportunity to nail Söder to his protestations and to his role as Bavarian Prime Minister.
So Merz actually postponed the decision. Perhaps because there are younger people in the CDU who may have better prospects, above all Daniel Günther. However, like Armin Laschet, you now threaten to have to slip into the role of those who want to prevent Söder.
