Union and Left: How Dobrindt saves Merz - with a call

In the second round of the election for Friedrich Merz, Union and SPD were dependent on the Left Party. World editor Ulf Poschartt criticizes "Heckenschützen" in the ranks of the coalition. Economist Daniel Stelter sees the forerunners for a fatal scenario.

The day of the chancellor's election was also historical for the relation of the Union to the left. Friedrich Merz suddenly needed the left. Is the incompatibility decision history?

On Tuesday the Union needs the Left Party for a further ballot in the Bundestag - and shows itself ready for discussion. In fact, an incompatibility decision applies. Chief of Chancellery Frei is now talking about reassessments.

The difficult election of chancellors has sparked a debate in the Union on cooperation with the Left Party. The Union had no talks with the AfD during the election of chancellor.

Chancellor's Office Minister Thorsten Frei (CDU) is open to repealing the CDU's incompatibility resolution with the Left Party. The resolution, which precludes cooperation with the Left Party and was passed at a CDU party conference in 2018, is a violation of the law.