The leader of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) with 94.62% of the votes of the delegates was officially elected on Saturday and Friedrich Mertz, who formally confirmed the victory he had previously recorded in the letter voting of the party members, in which he had received the 62.1%, against Nobert Retgen and Helge Brown.
Mr. Mertz was a candidate for the leadership of the party in 2018, when he lost to Annegret Krab-Karenbauer and in 2021, when he was defeated by Armin Lassett. Today, however, he won solemnly, as he had stated that he would be satisfied with a percentage of over 80%. Clearly moved, the new leader thanked his predecessor, Armin Lassett, for his “commitment” to the CDU and stressed that today’s conference “sends a strong message of renewal and confidence”, warning at the same time that it would take time for the party to return. its older percentages. Addressing the Bavarian Christian Socialist Party (CSU) and the pre-election disagreements with him, he stressed that “what we have experienced must not be repeated and will not be repeated.”
The 66-year-old Friedrich Mertz, who had interrupted his political career after Angela Merkel came to power in 2002, has returned after a successful career in the free economy and has a reputation as a liberal and loyal Christian Democrat. “I will defend civil society and the family and I will not just follow the spirit of the times. We will be open and protective at the same time “, he announced and identified three main priorities: the strong opposition, the victory in the state elections and the preparation of a new program for the party. “And I want to make it difficult for the Chancellor,” he added, referring to the issue of compulsory vaccination, for which the government does not intend to submit its own proposal, but will refer the matter to Parliament, asking for three cross-party proposals and conscientious votes. . “The government refuses to draft its own bill and instead entrusts the task to the Bundestag,” Mr Mertz said, referring to high inflation. the government. The new leader of the Christian Democrats also criticized Olaf Solz for not having gone to Washington or Moscow yet, “but he is afraid of a war in Germany with Germany.” “All your predecessors would have taken the lead in this situation,” he said, addressing the Chancellor.
For the post of CDU General Secretary, Mr. Mertz nominated 46-year-old Mario Chaya, who was in charge of Health and Social Affairs in Berlin, under Social Democrat (SPD) mayor Klaus Bowerit. In the last election he managed to secure his direct election to the Bundestag from East Berlin, snatching the victory from the candidate of the Left. Christina Stump, a 34-year-old MP from Baden-Württemberg, has been nominated as Deputy Secretary-General. The election of the Bureau will be by letter and the result of the vote will be announced on 31 January.
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