Friedrich Merz has been announced as the Union's chancellor candidate, marking a significant shift in the German political landscape. Merz, along with his general secretary Carsten Linnemann, has steered the CDU towards a more conservative direction since 2022. This new approach comes after potential candidates Hendrik Wüst and Markus Söder stepped aside.
Wüst has advised Merz to adopt a positive campaign style, stressing the need for constructive criticism of the current government rather than constant negativity. Julia Klöckner and Markus Söder have also thrown their support behind Merz, describing him as the right candidate for the time.
The AfD continues to gain traction, with recent successes in regional elections. Merz aims to reduce their influence by addressing key issues like internal security and economic policy, though critics argue his lack of government experience could be a liability.
The CDU faces internal contradictions, particularly in dealings with the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW). While some leaders like Michael Kretschmer are open to coalition talks, Merz has opposed such alliances.
Migration and asylum policies are also under intense debate, reignited by recent events like the Solingen attack. The CDU, SPD, and FDP are calling for reductions in asylum seeker numbers.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner has proposed tightening controls to discourage asylum applications. With the SPD struggling in the polls and Scholz's popularity waning, the landscape is ripe for change.
As the political atmosphere grows increasingly charged, the possibility of returning to rational, democratic discourse remains uncertain.
