Friedrich Merz is applying for the CDU chairmanship for the third time.
So far he has two competitors for the top position, but the application deadline is running.
Berlin - The 66-year-old Friedrich Merz continues to dream of a top position in his party.
In the fight for the CDU chairmanship he had already failed twice, now he is trying again.
On Monday, the CDU politician reportedly wants to make his application official.
Political observers believe that his chances are not bad.
Friedrich Merz applies again for CDU chairmanship
When Angela Merkel resigned as party leader in 2018, Merz seized the opportunity and applied for the post.
However, he could not prevail against Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.
He started the second attempt in January 2021, the outcome is known: Armin Laschet won the race in the runoff election.
Now Merz probably wants to know again and become CDU boss.
According to a report by the German Press Agency, he wants to submit his application to become party chairman on Monday.
A digital meeting of the CDU Hochsauerland district executive committee is planned for Monday at 7 p.m., at which Friedrich Merz will give a speech.
His subsequent nomination as party chairman by the district executive is a purely formality.
Two competitors for the chief position have already been determined: On the one hand, the former Federal Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen, on the other hand, the Chancellery chief Helge Braun.
But the application deadline is Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Applicants must submit their documents in writing to the CDU federal office by this point in time.
Political observer: These are the chances of Friedrich Merz becoming party chairman
As soon as all applicants have been determined, the CDU plans to introduce the candidates to the party base. To this end, the party wants to question the approximately 400,000 members from December 4th about the future chairman. Awareness is an important criterion for success in the member survey. The previous head of the Chancellery, Helge Braun, is less known to the general public than his two competitors, which could be a disadvantage for him. He is also not considered a charismatic as reported by the German Press Agency.
In the last fight for the party chairmanship, Norbert Röttgen was eliminated in the first ballot at the beginning of the year.
Merz had received 385 votes in the first round, Laschet 380 and Röttgen 224. If this tendency persists, Friedrich Merz could prevail against the two competitors in his third attempt at the party chairmanship.
After the employee survey, the actual election as party leader will take place on January 21, 2022.
The 1001 delegates at a party congress in Hanover then elect the new CDU leader.
