Germany (Washington Insider Magazine) -is the world’s fourth-largest economy and the biggest in Europe. Angela Merkel has headed the Central European’s steady ascension to the leadership of Europe with a calmness and stability that has led to respect from conservatives the world over. Whilst the CDU, who she was the leader of until last year, has never become unpopular, it is widely agreed that German voters are more swayed by the former Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety than they are the party she represents.
For the first time in sixteen years, the CDU enters an election with someone else at the helm. Armin Laschet has had a rough start in his new role, a position of succession few would envy. There are only 22 days until Germany’s federal election and his conservative alliance have plummeted below the SPD who stand at around 25% in the polls. According to public broadcaster ARD, the CDU are currently at 20%, with the Greens just below at 16%. Individually, the SDP’s pick for chancellor Olaf Scholz enjoys much higher approval ratings than Laschet, who is coming under increasing pressure.
With only three weeks until Germany go to the polls, Laschet has publicly assembled a team of eight experts to advise him on issues such as security and climate change. The move is partially an attempt to undermine the SPD, who he accuses of having hidden people pull strings and muzzle the leadership of the centre-left party.
The desperation of the move is highlighted by some of his choices, who do not agree with him on key issues. Friedrich Merz in particular has caught attention. The millionaire corporate lawyer lost to Laschet in the bid to succeed Merkel and has continued to publicize the disagreements he has with the party. The EU’s planned carbon taxes were endorsed by the CDU in its last party program yet earlier this week Merz said the plan would “mark the end of free trade policy, but the beginning of a new global trade conflict in which everyone would lose”.
Such comments may entice members of the CDU/CSU alliance’s right-wing but are likely to undermine Laschets ability to project an image of someone who can continue in Merkel’s steps.
The other seven experts appointed are mostly unknown by the public, meaning the main story to most is the appointment of an openly opposing figure. Things may only get worse for Laschet and his CDU.
