Bavarian Premier Markus Söder publicly backed Chancellor Friedrich Merz and dismissed suggestions that the CSU would seek to replace him after the CDU's heavy losses in Saxony-Anhalt. Söder warned any successor would face similar problems given an SPD that is struggling to push through reforms and urged unity to avoid fragmentation by the AfD. He also said the CSU would not attempt to oust Merz, while acknowledging uncertainty over the coalition's prospects ahead of more state votes.
Söder Backs Merz and Rules Out CSU Push To Oust Chancellor After AfD Surge
FILE PHOTO - Premier of Bavaria Markus Soeder speaks in a beer tent at the traditional Berlin kickoff of the Munich Oktoberfest at the "Tipi am Kanzleramt". (is associated with: «Bavarian leader rules out internal move to oust Germany's Merz») Annette Riedl/dpa
Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, a leading figure in Germany's conservative camp, has publicly backed Chancellor Friedrich Merz and dismissed suggestions that the CSU would move to remove him following the CDU's heavy losses in Saxony-Anhalt.
Söder emphasized that a change of leader would not solve the underlying political challenges, pointing to a Social Democratic Party (SPD) that is struggling to advance reforms and the broader difficulties of governing in coalition.
"Whoever stepped in immediately, if you go through the alternatives, would initially face the same problems — with an SPD that struggles with reforms," Söder told the Sunday edition of the Bild tabloid.
Leading the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Söder urged unity across the conservative bloc and warned against allowing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to divide them.
The AfD secured nearly 44% of the vote in last Sunday's regional election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, while the CDU plunged almost 20 percentage points to 17.2%. Those results have intensified speculation about the future of Merz's leadership and the stability of the governing coalition.
With state elections scheduled next Sunday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and local votes in Lower Saxony taking place this weekend, Söder acknowledged conversations among conservative leaders but insisted the CSU would not attempt to oust the chancellor.
"Under no circumstances" will the CSU try to force the chancellor out, Söder said.
Asked whether the coalition government would remain in office until its planned 2029 term end, Söder was cautious but hopeful. "I hope so," he said, underscoring the uncertainty ahead as the party watches upcoming electoral tests.
Help us improve.
