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Markus Söder and Alexander Dobrindt
Photo: via www.imago-images.de / imago images / Political-Moments
While Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet continues to hope for a Jamaica coalition, CSU boss Markus Söder sees the order for talks about a new federal government initially with the SPD, Greens and FDP. It was the SPD's turn, said Söder after the first meeting of the CSU regional group in Berlin. If that doesn't work, the Union is ready for any talks. "Olaf Scholz currently has the best chances of becoming chancellor," said Söder, however, with a view to the SPD candidate for chancellor.
It is important to respect the election result, said the CSU boss. For the Union it was "a heavy defeat", it suffered a break-in on a broad front. Therefore, as CSU chairman, he wanted to congratulate Scholz on the fact that the SPD received the most votes. This can be interpreted as a hidden swipe against CDU boss Armin Laschet, who has so far not given a clear congratulation. It was "important to respect an election result," said Söder.
For the Union, no government mandate can be derived from the election result, but it remains a responsibility.
One is therefore ready for talks about a possible Jamaican coalition with the FDP and the Greens.
"But we will not ingratiate ourselves." After the election defeat, the Union had to bring "stability and order" into its process structures in order to be ready to talk at all.
When asked, Söder left it open what role he could play in the end if a Jamaican alliance should come about.
The CSU chief avoided answering the question of whether he saw the CDU chief Armin Laschet, who was also under pressure within the party, as a negotiator at his side.
The CDU said that there had already been talks with the FDP and the Greens who had expressed interest in exploring Jamaica.
mfh / dpa