After the CDU Executive Board election : what to do with Friedrich Merz?

The day after the defeat shows Friedrich Merz, what few know: That he can be self-ironic. On Saturday evening, the Atlantic bridge, the canadian foreign Minister, Chrystia Freeland gives a price for her commitment to the free trade agreement Ceta. Merz is Chairman of the organized TRANS-Atlanticist, he welcomes guests to the Gala dinner. "The only way to make it here on time, was to let my competitor win", kids Merz. It seems that the losing candidate of the own defeat far lighter than his disappointed followers.

in fact, he would grudge no reason. To come after one and a half decades on the edge of the field as the head of the largest people's party, and the future Chancellor in question is already a great achievement. To be subject to almost no shame. "He was, I think, very calm," reports because Paul Ziemiak.

The new Secretary-General was on the phone early on Sunday with Merz, Sauer countries to Sauerland. "He has made the CDU a deal," describes Ziemiak shortly thereafter, in the Germany radio of its attitude in review, "and this offer is not just adopted by the Congress of the party". Among the members he would have received a majority, but the rules of the game had been invented extra new: in The end, the delegates decide in the party's democracy.

Far bigger problems than the candidate himself, to digest the result, Merz’ trailer. Many of you have felt the competition of the three candidates is less than the normal democratic competition because as a battle of Right or Wrong. Conservatives and business people have cultivated in recent years have increasingly the feeling that they are a suppressed secret majority, Angela Merkel's course, supported only reluctantly to the unity's sake. As Merz showed up, saw the time for satisfaction to come. The Failure of your hero hits you doubly hard, as it shows The clear majority they are not.

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Merz loose - but the frustration of his followers is a Problem

For Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and her new General of this frustration is a real Problem. But also the leader of the losing half, have no interest in your troops to turn away angry. The European election in may is coming quickly. It determines whether Germany can remain the bulwark of Europe against the resolution and populism, and it shapes moods for the Eastern state elections in the autumn.

Kramp-Karrenbauer and Ziemiak promise that there will be no More, but the most important questions a new course. The Boss reiterated in the first Interviews, their announcement to bring in the spring in a "workshop conversation" proponents and critics of the refugee policy together. Out a kind of satisf consensus on what since 2015 is right and what is wrong. The new management Duo combines the hope, that the glimpse of the past ceases to dominate the discussion in the Union, and you can turn in the migration and integration policy the tasks of the present and the future.

The first hurdle on the way to the reconciliation of the Embittered is, of course, closer to a lot, and it is much harder: what to do with Friedrich? The head of the SME Association, Carsten Linnemann, had already pleaded at the Congress: "Dear Friedrich, stay, please contact us! Frederick, we need you!“ He had, as him, the new Boss asked shortly after the election, crime on the stage, rather like a traveler sounded at the gate: Was a exciting time, made fun, call me soon, if you something want. You heard, so to speak, outside the Hamburg exhibition hall, the propellers start up.

Maybe Ziemiak's right, don't want to overstate the spontaneous reaction. But then, there is only right, as a integration can look like, the strength of his supporters-bearing symbolically. "This is not a negligible minority," says someone from the party leadership, "that was the half of the party tags!" Merz is now merely the management of any Commission offer forbid of itself; not to mention Kramp cart Builder, cheeky throw-in from the very first days of the three-way competition, the inventor of the beer lid-tax reform could develop a modern Version as a Smartphone App. Merz had to return the favor with the proposal, the ACC could stay under him for the first time General. Seriously both snappy banter were not meant to be pretty obvious.

Merz as the new Minister of economy?

But what then? To the offer, to accept an elective office in the party Presidium, is not Merz. Then, as a visible beacon would post actually, only a Minister. And since only one is in the triangle of the coalition parties of the CDU, which would have to be seriously in question: The Ministry of economy, the historic home of Ludwig Erhard.

Merz Fans in the state of Baden-Württemberg drums. Ziemiak place, now should be after the exciting race for the first time a little time to pass, and commented on the specific demand is quite cautious: "I think every idea is worth considering, which leads to then in the end , all are visible." He had not spoken with Merz over his future, but – this should be done at the same eye level, so with the Chairman. Kramp-Karrenbauer has announced a timely call; when it takes place at the weekend was unclear.

For the Saar countries, the situation is in several ways a tricky one. Firstly, the acting economy Minister, Peter Altmaier, is your country man. Secondly, the CDU had received in the Minister-Lotto at the excruciating end of the arduous coalition negotiations only Cabinet post, the for Merz not and as an Alternative to Altmaier, in: defense? Agriculture? Education? In the Ministry of health of the third parties already sitting firmly in the contest, Jens Spahn. It is conceivable, an alternate step – for example, a Commissioner's post in Europe would be at best.

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The CDU after the Congress, sadness and anger at the Merz-trailers

Robert pear

either way, the Chancellor would have to play the game. And finally, Merz would have to want to do a Job like this. To be a Minister in a fragile coalition, after all, is not a simple task. The 63-Year-old joins the coalition discipline, he stands in danger of disappointing his biggest Fans. He did not, would not could get exactly what the Congress wanted: only dispute in the government. Maybe Friedrich Merz and his CDU may do the greatest service, if he renounces Offices, and Would – and the others call him, wherever you may need it urgently.