Markus Söder wants to go to Berlin - but so does Armin Laschet: Both party leaders are officially interested in running for chancellor.
A decision should be made quickly and supposedly without a fight, both promise - this week.
Berlin / Munich
- It's a boxy sentence with an “if”, but it drives like a bang through the republic.
"If the CDU were willing to support me, I would take on this task," says Markus Söder on this Sunday afternoon at around 2:20 pm.
And there follows a crucial passage: He had a long exchange of ideas “with Armin” on Saturday.
"We both declared that we are ready."
Söder and Laschet declare willingness to fight for the CDU / CSU's candidacy for chancellor
Rumms: Söder announces his readiness to run for chancellor, and he also declares that of Laschet.
You don't know whether it was agreed and shouldn't believe in the good in people these days.
As a result, however, the two party leaders are now facing each other with open visors.
Both trust each other to become chancellor.
Both want to go to Berlin.
But they both know that without the support of the sister party, they will go under.
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"Without a grudge"?
Armin Laschet and Markus Söder on Sunday in Berlin.
© Kappeler / dpa
Söder chose an internal meeting of the most important Union MPs in Berlin on Sunday as the stage for his appearance.
You could see it coming for a few days.
In both parties, there were hints to the bosses to show their colors soon and not to risk a hangover.
The CSU is whispered internally, open personnel questions exacerbated the bad mood at the grassroots level because of the corona policy.
And in the CDU even seasoned prime ministers - Volker Bouffier from Hesse, Michael Kretschmer from Saxony - openly provide ultimatums to finally clear the matter this week.
The mood between Söder and Laschet is increasingly irritable
In addition, there is growing irritation between Söder and Laschet.
In NRW people like to complain and often about swipes from Munich.
Laschet himself said a mean sentence to “Bild am Sonntag”: “You won't find any taunts, filthy things or anything like that with me.
That's not my style. ”As a reminder: Horst Seehofer invented the term“ filthy ”in 2012 to discredit Söder - it stuck to the Franconia like bad luck for years.
No, it's not a coincidence.
Many in the Union hold their breath on Sunday afternoons.
Laschet and Söder officially vow to respect each other.
“We are aware of our responsibility.
We will answer the question well, with one another, also with personal appreciation that exists for one another, ”Laschet said in front of the MPs.
And Söder emphasizes that if the CDU does not want him, “we will continue to work well together without resentment”.
But is that true?
CDU / CSU: The candidates drum up their people
The troops are sorted in no time at all, the candidates drum up their people.
This morning, the CDU Presidium will join forces, where Laschet would have a clear majority - a solidarity decision is easy to come by.
Söder also gets his party headquarters together for the early evening, loyal to him.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, there will be a meeting of the Union MPs, some of whom calculate higher election chances with Söder.
This meeting is also exciting because it is still unclear where a decision will be made.
It is noticeable that Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble, the old CDU fox, would rather keep the decision away from the MPs.
While CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt reports in a hurry: "The parliamentary group has a natural say in the decision, because its members also have to shoulder a significant part of the election campaign." Söder also mentions that the "responsible body" is the parliamentary group.
Merkel leaves the room before Söder is announced
Or does it mean more to what the Chancellor is doing this Sunday?
Merkel is also a guest at the round with Laschet and Söder.
She leaves the room before the announcement of Bavaria.
Before that, however, she suddenly expressly praised Laschet's "bridge lockdown" proposal and criticized deviations from other countries - apparently Söder should feel addressed.
There are nuances, many.
There is still little evidence of voluntary renunciation.
"As much unity as possible," Laschet later promises to journalists, rowing his arms.
Söder describes "an exciting situation" for the Union and a "serious situation".
And still has the advice to the CDU that one should "not make the decision on bending or twisting".
List of rubric lists: © Michael Kappeler / dpa