Merz Takes the Helm: German Conservatives Unite Behind Their New Chancellor Hopeful

The leadership of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the most popular party in Germany so far, nominated its leader, 68-year-old Friedrich Merz, as chancellor on September 23. Spiegel writes about this.

According to the Secretary General of the CDU, Carsten Linnemann, Merz was unanimously chosen as the main candidate in the Bundestag elections to be held in September 2025.

The leadership of the Christian Social Union (CSU), a Bavarian party that participates in federal elections along with the CDU, previously announced that it unanimously supported the candidacy of 68-year-old Merz.

“United: Friedrich Merz is our candidate for chancellor. Together we want to change German politics and replace the ‘traffic light system,'” the CSU said, referring to the current federal coalition, known as ” traffic light” because of the colors of the three parties that it is formed.

The CDU leader himself said that he accepted the task “with great humility” and that he was looking forward to the start of the election campaign.