Merz sees the CDU back in first place after the NRW election success

Created: 05/16/2022, 14:11

Friedrich Merz, CDU federal chairman, takes part in a press conference.

© Michael Kappeler/dpa

After the electoral success in North Rhine-Westphalia, the CDU chairman Friedrich Merz sees his party on the road to success again nationwide.

"Since yesterday, the CDU has been back in first place among the German parties," said the party leader on Monday in Berlin.

He pointed out that around one in five voters live in the most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Berlin – Anyone who can win elections there can also do so throughout Germany.

That was a "good day" not only for the CDU in North Rhine-Westphalia, but for the CDU throughout Germany.

The CDU leadership feels that the election result "more than just confirms the course they have taken," said Merz.

For the federal party, however, the NRW success was only a "stage victory".

There is still a lot of work ahead of her.

Above all, it is an election victory for Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst and the North Rhine-Westphalian CDU.

Of course, federal politics also played a role - "extremely negative for the SPD".

This advertised nationwide on posters with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who also completed many election campaign dates.

The result was the worst SPD result in North Rhine-Westphalia after the Second World War, said the CDU leader.

"The election result is a very clear answer to the Federal Government and in particular to the Federal Chancellor."

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When asked about his own low popularity ratings in polls, Merz said: "At the end of the day, it comes down to votes and election results and not personal sympathy values." dpa