Merz frames Berlin CDU rally as historic lesson amid doubts over chancellorship
Friedrich Merz spoke at the CDU’s Berlin campaign finale, drawing parallels with Adenauer and urging party cohesion as his tenure faces internal criticism.
During the CDU’s Berlin election wrap-up, Friedrich Merz used his speech as a lesson in German history, recalling the city’s division and the post-war challenges faced by Konrad Adenauer. He highlighted Ludwig Erhard’s contributions to the market economy and promoted a book by Stefan Kolev aimed at younger voters. Party figures Franziska Oppermann and Stefan Evers repeatedly invoked the word “together,” urging members to pull in the same direction and warning that extremist forces threaten both housing stability and Jewish safety.
Merz also warned that the era of unconditional transatlantic friendship is ending, justifying increased military spending as a “timeshift.” He called on young people to support the Bundeswehr and a voluntary service year, while affirming Germany’s identity as an immigration country. The gathering, initially a closed party event, was later broadcast on YouTube, drawing roughly 175 online participants, and Merz will convene a formal CDU meeting to review upcoming state-level results.
Why it matters
The speech signals how the CDU’s leader is trying to solidify support and shape policy narratives ahead of crucial elections.
How this story developed
- Sep 7 AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt election, BSW holds potential sway over premier selection
- Sep 7 The AfD was reported to be three seats short of an outright majority, prompting coalition negotiations.
- Sep 7 AfD received 43.8% of the vote and the CDU dropped to about 17%.
- Sep 8 Günter Krings, a member of the German Bundestag, described the recent Saxony-Anhalt vote as far worse than expected, with the AfD securing 43.8% of the ballots. He argued the CDU should not entertain discussions about replacing Chancellor Friedrich Merz so soon after the far-right's victory. Krings urged the party to focus on rebuilding its credibility and blamed EU decisions for part of voter anger. The CDU’s share fell to 17.2%, roughly half of its previous support.
- Sep 9 Former US president Donald Trump praised the Alternative for Germany (AfD) after its impressive result in Saxony-Anhalt, blaming the country's immigration policies.
- Sep 9 Trump posted a congratulatory message to the AfD on Truth Social after the Saxony‑Anhalt results.
- Sep 9 Merz and AfD leader Alice Weidel clashed in a Bundestag budget debate following the Saxony‑Anhalt result.
- Sep 10 Claudia Obert resigned from the CDU and Tino Schomann publicly demanded Merz’s resignation.
- Sep 11 Only the BSW agreed to talks as all other parties declined, and Chancellor Merz rebuked Donald Trump’s congratulatory post.
- Sep 12 Markus Söder publicly rejected calls to replace Chancellor Merz.
In this story
Related stories
15 in this thread