Thus, the previously governing party CDU has chosen who will challenge Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) as leader. The nomination of Scholz was announced at a press conference in Berlin, where Markus Söder from the Bavarian CSU also participated. Söder has previously been mentioned as a possible candidate, despite representing the smaller party with a presence in the federal state of Bavaria.
Social Democrat Scholz governs together with the Green party and The Liberals (FDP).
Both the sitting government and CDU with Merz stand firm on continued and significant support to Ukraine in the Russian invasion war, which is questioned by parties on both the right and left.
A coalition government with CDU and CSU may face difficulties, as both the conservative bloc and the governing parties consistently turn their backs on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD).
