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Markus Söder, Prime Minister of Bavaria April 20, 2021
"The die has been cast, Armin Laschet is the Union's candidate for Chancellor."
With this sentence Markus Söder is back where he has been prayer-wheel-like asserting that he wants to be: in Bavaria instead of Berlin:
"I'm Markus and I'm at home"
"By far the best thing about Berlin is the return trip to Bavaria . Such a liberating feeling! "
Anna Clauss, DER SPIEGEL
»Markus Söder is currently at the peak of his popularity, one can almost say, and yet he is not a candidate for chancellor of the Union. That worries him, of course. In the last few days he has withdrawn from the public in a very unusual way for him, obviously pressing the pause button. He must now first of all collect himself and realize that he is actually still, yes, the winner. "
Because whatever happens: Markus Söder can refer to his generous offer - and continue as the father of the country.
Its popularity values in Bavaria are currently over 70 percent.
Munich, Vox pop
“I think Söder would have been better, simply with broad acceptance.” “Well, I would have been more in favor of Söder.” “Even if it is controversial, I would say that Söder would also be better for Germany would have been. But definitely for Bavaria. "
The CSU is now even promoting memberships outside of Bavaria on social networks.
Anna Clauß, DER SPIEGEL
»It's boiling at the CSU base. It's a mixture of anger, disappointment and, above all, bewilderment. That the sister party has decided in favor of the candidate, who is not necessarily considered a draft horse. And here in Bavaria, too, it is no longer certain that as a direct candidate for the CSU you will automatically enter the Bundestag.
And there are already one or two MPs here in Bavaria who have made it clear to their employees: From September you will probably have to look for a new job. Assume that it may not be enough to move into the Bundestag. Those were dramatic conversations I've had over the past few weeks. One almost had to fight back tears because he said he could only move in via the list, if at all. But the fact that the Union will get such a good result that it is enough to get into the Bundestag is now ruled out. «
Not only the CSU base is disappointed.
On the CDU Facebook page, on which Laschet officially proclaims himself a candidate for chancellor, the angry comments increase: “One of the stupidest decisions ever.” - “A joke.
Incredible…"
However, the effects of the candidate debacle are NOT directly reflected in the most recent polls:
29% of those questioned would vote for the CDU / CSU if there were parliamentary elections next Sunday.
The Union only loses one percentage point.
The Greens gain two percentage points and now come to 25 percent.
The situation is different when it comes to the direct question about the candidates: CDU boss Armin Laschet comes last with only 11 percent approval.
Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU), Union parliamentary group leader
»Now the question has been resolved, now we're moving forward. Now we want to campaign. It is also the case that other parties have put up their candidates. The field is tilled. "
The only question is how exactly this should work and whether dedicated help can be expected from Markus Söder and his fan base?
Anna Clauss, DER SPIEGEL
»It is questionable how much the CSU base will get involved in the Union's election campaign in the coming weeks and months. There are already the first basic members who say that under no circumstances will they post posters for Armin Laschet. And they also don't know what to do with their second vote in the federal election. Because the fact that they would be given to Armin Laschet would be considered excluded here, a base member told me. «
Markus Söder, April 19, 2021
»If it is Armin Laschet, he will have my full support and the backing of the CSU. And then he can rely 100 percent on it. "
Söder now has to be measured against these words.
Anna Clauss, author "Who is Markus Söder - A biography" "
" If he doesn't, then he is considered a splitter. He must now force himself to show solidarity. He must now campaign for the Union, for Armin Laschet. And also if it is difficult for him, he is so controlled that he will probably not take part in every talk show that invites him, but in those where he does, he will speak out for Armin Laschet. "