German conservative state premiers back embattled Merz in joint statement
The premiers sought to calm speculation that Merz could step down after a major state election loss and urged party unity.
- On Wednesday, eight state premiers from the Christian Democrats signed a joint letter backing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, aiming to quell speculation about him stepping down following a major state election defeat this month.
- Recent electoral losses in state contests sparked rumors regarding Merz's leadership, prompting party leaders to publicly affirm their support and stabilize his position within the organization.
- Premiers from Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin signed the statement, while Markus Soeder, premier of Bavaria and head of the sister party CSU, also backed the Chancellor.
- The premiers emphasized that "Germany's political landscape needs stability," citing uncertain outcomes in upcoming elections across Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, and France next year while urging the party to prioritize political action over personnel debates.
- Conservatives have scheduled a special meeting for Sunday to coordinate the party's response to election results in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, aiming to demonstrate unity behind the leader's administration.
56 Articles
56 Articles
Merz Wins Backing From German Premiers as Pressure Mounts
Chancellor Friedrich Merz won backing from a powerful group of German state premiers, defusing for now a challenge to his 16-month tenure as his conservatives brace for deeper losses in a pair of regional elections on Sunday.
In a joint statement, all eight CDU prime ministers stand behind Merz. Before the election in Saxony-Anhalt, public support for the chancellor had become even more scanty – the chancellor's overthrow seems to be a scenario.
"Together with the Federal Chancellor: ALL CDU Prime Ministers stand behind Merz
Chancellor Merz is under massive pressure. Shortly before the state elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin, all eight CDU prime ministers now speak in the personnel debate - and stand behind Merz.
In a joint statement, the CDU Prime Ministers supported Chancellor Merz. Filipp Piatov, deputy head of politics of the Bild, does not believe that this will end the debate permanently.
Merz wants to ask himself the question of trust internally. At the latest since the defeat in the Landtag elections in Saxony-Anhalt some CDU prime ministers are already mentioned as Merz successors.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
