Over the past week, Merkel's party (the CDU) wrapped up their leadership vote. From the three choices in the running....Armin Laschet won. Friedrich Merz, who probably had the insider vote back in the fall when the party vote was supposed to occur....lost.
For those who aren't aware, around 15 years ago, there was a falling-out between Chancellor Merkel and Merz. She doesn't like the guy.
Merz came to realize that getting any party positions or minister jobs....was going to be practically impossible....so Merz packed up and left the party. He went back into the business world. In the past year, he's re-entered the scene. He has the belief that at this economic point of the country (downward).....they need a different kind of Chancellor.
Merkel's current view of Merz? He's not an intellectual. Her circle....the folks who get the cabinet posts (at least from the CDU).....are typically 'branded' as intellectuals.
So as Merz lost in this party chief business.....he laid down a card. He wants a minister's position....the Economic Minister job. He's not talking after the fall election....he's hinting now.
The guy holding the job presently? Pete Altmaier. On the list of people closest to Merkel in the government? I'd put him either at number one or number two.
Does the CDU need Merz out in front and speaking....if they want to win state elections or the national election? As dismal as the economy is right now....yes.
Laschet is in a tough position. He's got this great party chief job that is utterly depending upon the party doing well in several state elections and the fall national election. If they fail in any way....he's out.
Laschet needs a economic program that inspires people and gives confidence over the future.
Would the Chancellor be happy with dumping Altmaier out of his job? No. Nor does it make sense at this point to have a rotation done.
So Merz is probably going to be frozen out of his request, and he'll quietly drift around for two months before walking away. Reporters will ask for interviews, and I think he'll just decline.
All of this lays out a questionable election path for 2021, and the CDU Party. They needed some serious effort to convey a better future ahead, and its just not there. If the CDU ends up in a 2nd-place situation in September....they can go back to this moment and wonder about the 'game' that was played out.
No comments:
Post a Comment