Read the video transcript here
Union meeting - the open K-question
Veit Medick, DER SPIEGEL
“The leaders of the Union parliamentary group are meeting today in the Reichstag building behind me. This is actually an appointment that would normally go under. And it's also a bit of an absurd setting. People want to talk about digitization here, about Corona. But actually there is a huge elephant in the room. Namely the question of who will be number one for the CDU and CSU in the federal election campaign - Markus Söder on the one hand or Armin Laschet. "
The war of nerves between CDU chairman Armin Laschet and Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder has been going on for weeks.
The question of the candidacy for chancellor has not yet been clarified - and is already dividing the Union.
She is now insisting on an end to the struggle for clarification.
Alexander Dobrindt, CSU regional group leader
"The time is ripe for us to make the decisions in the next two weeks that Ralph Brinkhaus addressed, which are exciting for all of them and for us too."
Ralph Brinkhaus Chairman of the CDU / CSU parliamentary group
"We have a great interest in the whole thing - and Alexander Dobrindt and I said that too - proceed quickly now."
Veit Medick, DER SPIEGEL
»There is one
person in
particular who is under pressure here.
Armin Laschet, the CDU chairman.
He's had pretty miserable weeks, you have to say that.
First came the mask affair, then came the lost state elections.
His personal polls are somewhat disastrous and he has actually been permanently on the defensive since his election as party chairman.
So much so that some in the Union are wondering with what force he actually wants to take this candidacy at all.
He is actually the natural candidate for chancellor because he is the CDU chairman.
But at the moment he's always on the offensive.
Does he still have an option?
I do believe that Armin Laschet still has an option.
He has, if you will, a hardcore option.
He could go it alone.
In case of doubt tomorrow example.
This is where the party's governing bodies come together.
First the presidium, then the party executive.
Laschet could try to get a vote in his favor, that is, to gather the CDU's governing bodies behind him.
That would have the advantage that it would send a clear signal towards Munich towards Markus Söder.
Dear Markus, I want to be a candidate and the CDU is behind me.
He would demonstrate determination and get rid of this picture of the nice uncle Armin that he actually lugs around with him for far too long.
«
Ralph Brinkhaus Chairman of the CDU / CSU parliamentary group
“I know that the two are talking about it and that these conversations are also friendly.
This is also important to us because we are a union family.
If the CDU and CSU work well together, that's good too.
«
Alexander Dobrindt CSU regional group leader
"I'd rather say two outstanding options than one Olaf."
It remains to be seen whether Armin Laschet dares to go it alone.
Because the risks involved - especially Markus Söder's reaction - are not insignificant.
Veit Medick, DER SPIEGEL
»Söder couldn't really let that sit on him, he couldn't let it go. In the last few weeks he has demonstrated how great a self-confidence is, how much he would like to compete. So Söder could be tempted to get his management bodies in Munich to vote in his favor. And then of course you would have an open battle. That would possibly divide the Union entirely. In addition, a process would then also be needed to resolve this. This is where the parliamentary group could actually come into play and the majority ratios are very, very unclear. It is at least very unclear whether Armin Laschet would have a majority at all. That said, this power option that Laschet has would have some benefits, but it would also have tremendous risks. Just doing nothing is actually not an option at all in this tricky situation. These are going to be interesting days for the Union. "
