CDU/CSU Decides Not to Oust Chancellor Merz Despite Election Losses

The CDU/CSU parliamentary group has moved to close ranks behind Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with party leadership making clear they will not initiate any leadership change despite the setbacks suffered in recent Landtag elections.

In closed-door party meetings, senior CDU and CSU figures reportedly argued that ousting Merz now would signal weakness and create further instability at a time when Germany faces significant economic and security challenges. The party establishment has calculated that a leadership crisis would do more damage than staying the course.

Merz himself has acknowledged the election results as a wake-up call but has resisted any suggestion of stepping down. He has promised a course correction on key policy areas while insisting the coalition's overall direction remains sound.

Political analysts note that while Merz survives this immediate challenge, he must demonstrate tangible results before the next federal election to retain the confidence of both his party and the electorate.