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CDU politician Linnemann: Merz wants him as vice
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According to SPIEGEL information, the CDU politician Carsten Linnemann is relinquishing the chairmanship of the SME and Economic Union (MIT). The North Rhine-Westphalian member of the Bundestag, who has led the party's economic wing since 2013, had already indicated his departure internally some time ago and justified it with the length of his term of office, among other things. Linnemann is vehemently in favor of limiting leadership jobs in the party and government to a maximum of eight years. He now apparently wants to heed this rule himself.
The move is also likely to be related to the search for a new CDU chairman, which is currently in full swing. Linnemann, 44, is considered a supporter of Friedrich Merz, he should move up to the front row of the CDU as his deputy in the event of a victory for the former parliamentary group leader. In addition, Linnemann von Merz is planned as head of the party's policy and program commission, which could hardly be reconciled with representing a wing at the same time. Linnemann is also likely to be more eligible for election as deputy party chairman for many Christian Democrats if he is not also the top economic politician.
Under Linnemann, who, according to SPIEGEL information, wants to announce his departure to the board of MIT in the afternoon, the SME Union has recently gained in importance, although it has little influence on government policy and the CDU course in the cabinet.
A succession plan for the MIT chief post does not yet exist, it is said in party circles.
Linnemann was at times also mentioned as a possible candidate for the party chairmanship.
After talking to Merz, however, he decided against applying.
Both Christian Democrats won their mandate in North Rhine-Westphalia directly in the Bundestag election in September, Linnemann in Paderborn even won with almost 50 percent.
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