Both are considered to be representatives of the conservative part in the CDU.
But ex-Union faction leader Friedrich Merz is now addressing the new Values Union chairman Max Otte sharply.
Berlin - exchange of blows within the CDU.
Economic politician Friedrich Merz advised on the ultra-conservative Union of Values: "I urge all CDU members to leave the so-called Union of Values and to shape the future together in the CDU." Chairman Armin Laschet belongs to the
dpa
.
The Values Union sees itself as a representative of the conservative current in the Union, but is not an official party division.
According to its own information, its membership is over 4,000 - including members without a CDU party book.
The CDU has a total of around 400,000 members, the CSU has around 140,000.
Merz criticizes Wert-Union and Otte: "Unqualified all-round blows"
The new chairman of the values union is the economist Max Otte.
Otte had said at the weekend that Merz was burdened by his previous lobbying activities and should "not take over a state office, even if the lobbying activity is suspended".
His predecessor, Alexander Mitsch, who had left the group shortly before because of Otte's behavior, replied that this was "simply unacceptable".
It is clear: "Otte is not expressing a majority opinion of the Union of Values here." Under Mitschs' leadership, she had campaigned for Merz to become the Union's candidate for chancellor.
Ex-Union faction leader Merz now attacked Otte sharply.
Otte "apparently doesn't know the difference between lobbying and professional activity as a lawyer and supervisory board." Merz was formerly chairman of the supervisory board for Germany of the US asset manager Blackrock.
The mandate ended on March 31, 2020 - so it's not just dormant.
Merz said: "The unqualified envelopes from Mr. Otte should give the members of this self-proclaimed value union something to think about."
Federal election 2021: Laschet advises CDU leaders in Berlin
After the controversial election of Otte, the Union of Values shows ever stronger signs of disintegration.
Members of various state boards resigned in protest against Otte's course.
Internal critics accuse Otte of moving the Union of Values to the right and wanting to open up to the AfD.
Otte reacted calmly and, according to his own statements, assumes that the Union of Values will emerge stronger from this process.
Meanwhile, the CDU leadership around party leader Laschet is officially advising on this Monday for the last time before the summer break.
The processes in the value union should play a role, if at all, only marginally, reports the
dpa
.
It was expected that the party committees would, among other things, deal with the upcoming election campaign for the 2021 federal election.
Voices on the ultra-conservative union of values: "Decomposing yourself right now"
CDU top representatives have reacted with satisfaction to the tendency to split in the Union of Values.
“I think we shouldn't be paying more attention to what it's worth.
And after all that I perceive, they are currently dismantling themselves, ”said the Hessian Prime Minister Volker Bouffier when he arrived at the deliberations.
The Union of Values is grossly overrated.
He joined the Merz 'request.
Presidium member Karl-Josef Laumann said: "The values of the Union of Values simply do not fit the CDU." It is good to "make it very clear that the Union has nothing to do with the Union of Values". Apparently one could not forbid the grouping to call itself a Union. “But it has nothing to do with the CDU. Period. "
(Dpa / AFP / frs)
