Söder Sets Course for CSU's Federal Ambitions

Markus Söder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), is rallying his party for a significant role in the upcoming federal elections. He has thrown his support behind Friedrich Merz as the potential chancellor candidate while distancing himself from a coalition with the Greens, a move that underscores his strategic vision for the party's future. Söder is also vocal about implementing a stricter migration policy, advocating for an upper limit on asylum seekers and the reintroduction of compulsory military service.

At the CSU party conference, Söder made it clear that he opposes any federal collaboration with the Greens or the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), citing that these alliances could weaken the Union's electoral prospects. He emphasized that the CSU should focus on securing key governmental portfolios, like the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, to bolster its influence in a potential future government.

Söder's rhetoric was also marked by criticism of the current 'Ampel' coalition government, calling for its replacement through new elections. He argues that the coalition's policies are failing and that the CSU, alongside the CDU, can offer a more robust leadership. Throughout the conference, he demonstrated unity with Merz and aimed to present a revitalized CSU ready to overcome past electoral setbacks and navigate the challenges ahead.

The CSU also aims to differentiate itself from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) by rejecting legal actions against the party, preferring instead to counter it through policy. As the party gears up for the next electoral cycle, Söder's vision is one of strategic autonomy, aiming to position the CSU as a decisive force in German politics.