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Jens Spahn
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HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / REUTERS
In the Bundestag election, the Union parties achieved a historically poor result - the defeat left serious marks on the CDU in particular.
According to Jens Spahn, the party is in the greatest crisis in its history.
This is what the Federal Minister of Health told Deutschlandfunk.
Much of what the SPD, Greens and FDP would have agreed upon at the end of their exploratory talks would probably have come out of a Jamaican alliance, said Spahn.
A responsible and constructive approach is needed for future opposition work.
Spahn is considered one of the possible successors of party leader Armin Laschet (read more here).
"I feel like shaping the new CDU," the party's deputy chief is quoted as saying.
It is an honor for every Christian Democrat to be chairman of the CDU.
At the same time, however, it is important to respect the agreed processes and to wait for the district chairperson's conference planned for the end of next week.
After Angela Merkel's withdrawal from party leadership two years ago, the open competition for her successor did the CDU good, Spahn said.
At that time, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer narrowly prevailed - but was then replaced by Armin Laschet, who also announced his retirement after the defeat in the federal elections.
It is currently unclear how the new party leadership will be chosen.
In addition to the decision at a party congress, a member survey is also under discussion.
Spahn said there is currently a broad need on the part of the grassroots to have a say in decision-making.
At the same time, there is a need not to have a fight.
Therefore, there has to be a team that brings the party together.
The CDU suffered a historic defeat in the federal election at the end of September.
She is now aiming for a staff and content renewal.
A special party conference is to re-elect the entire board.
In addition to Spahn, economic expert Friedrich Merz, Union parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus and foreign politician Norbert Röttgen are considered candidates for Laschet's successor.
Merz: "It will be exhausting"
In a guest article for the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, Merz presented his ideas about the role of the Union as an opposition. Authority and the approval of the voters did not arise “in elegant surfing on the wave of the zeitgeist, but only in convincing factual work and with convincing people «.
In the opposition, the Union must now carry out the practical work on its own, without resorting to the apparatus and expertise of a government: "It will be exhausting." But this also represents a great opportunity.
Because »rethinking our country and protecting our values at the same time« could also be fun, unleash new creativity and be attractive for new members and for new groups of voters.
This requires a "comprehensive participation of our members and the inclusion of their assessments and life experiences".
as / dpa
