The CDU threatens a new power struggle for the post of party leader!
Despite intensive negotiations in the background, the CDU leadership could not agree on a common candidate for the party chairmanship on Tuesday either.
► THEREFORE the decision: The approximately 400,000 members will decide who will be the new CDU leader. The CDU federal executive board decided on Tuesday a schedule in which up to two ballots are assumed (each by letter or online).
But maybe one of the candidates will get more than 50 percent of the votes in the first ballot: The result will be announced on December 17th. Officially, CDU district associations are to propose candidates for the chair in the next few days.
Clear favorite at the base according to surveys: Ex-CDU parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz (65). According to BILD information, he is still trying to gather a team around himself: with several Union women, CDU medium-sized business leader Carsten Linnemann (44, photo) and Health Minister Jens Spahn (41), who are believed to have fewer opportunities at the base.
Internally, it is assumed that CDU external expert Norbert Röttgen (56) will definitely run against Merz and his possible team. Röttgen is also looking for team members.
► It is unclear how the Union parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus (53), elected by the end of April, will behave. If he is also running for the election for party chairmanship, a runoff election could be necessary after the first ballot.
In this case, the ballot papers should be sent out shortly before New Year’s Eve. THEN the second ballot begins (results will be announced: January 14th). On 21/22 January then the 34th party congress will take place in Hanover. The delegates will then only officially confirm the winner of the member survey.