Politics · Germany · 1 day ago
Gauck backs Merz but urges CDU to clarify its political course
Former German president Joachim Gauck spoke at a meeting of the CDU leadership in Berlin on Sunday evening.
He backed Friedrich Merz, who leads the CDU and is Germany’s chancellor, but urged the party to make its political direction clearer.
Gauck said the CDU needed to speak with AfD voters, rather than only discussing the far-right party.
He argued that winning those voters back was important for the CDU’s survival and that other parties were not currently able to do so.
He also stressed support for Ukraine, democracy, Germany’s ties with Western countries and Europe.
The CDU called the meeting after three major defeats in September’s state elections, as Merz faces growing doubts within his party.
The leadership meeting was due to continue on Monday, with Merz expected to report its outcome at a press conference.
Former German president Joachim Gauck backed CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a party meeting in Berlin on Sunday evening.
Gauck urged the CDU to clarify its political course and said it needed to win back voters from the AfD.
He stressed support for Ukraine, democracy, Germany’s ties to the West and Europe as core values.
The CDU leadership meeting was called after the party suffered defeats in three state elections in September.
The party was due to continue its discussions on Monday, with Merz scheduled to report on the outcome at a press conference.
- Who
- Former German president Joachim Gauck and CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with CDU leaders.
- What
- Gauck backed Merz but urged the CDU to clarify its political course and reach out to AfD voters.
- When
- Sunday evening; the CDU meeting was due to continue on Monday.
- Where
- CDU headquarters in Berlin.
- Why
- The meeting followed three CDU defeats in state elections in September and a party crisis. Gauck said the CDU needed to win back AfD voters.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The CDU suffered defeats in three state elections, prompting the party to hold a leadership meeting.
Gauck addressed Merz and senior CDU figures after a meal at CDU headquarters in Berlin.
The CDU leadership meeting was scheduled to resume, with the party board due to join later.
Merz and CDU Secretary-General Franziska Hoppermann were scheduled to brief the press on the meeting's outcome.
- Gauck
- Former German president, aged 86
- Merz
- CDU leader and German chancellor, aged 70
- Meeting location
- CDU headquarters, Berlin
- Party setback
- Three state-election defeats in September
- Planned press conference
- Monday at 13:30, with Merz and Franziska Hoppermann
What people are saying
Friedrich Merz has suffered a massive loss of credibility by breaking election promises. The CDU and CSU's immediate action programme promised a reduction in electricity tax for everyone as its first measure – nothing has happened.
We need much more speed and much less introspection.
Sources
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