Germany's Federal Election Tomorrow, Who Will Be the Next Chancellor of Germany?
Germany, February 23: Germany is set to hold elections this Sunday (February 23), and Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is the leading candidate for the next Chancellor. Merz's party holds a strong position to take the position from current Chancellor Olaf Scholz. But what do we know about Merz's personal life and political stance?
Friedrich Merz’s Childhood and Career:
Friedrich Merz was born on November 11, 1955, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. His family was conservative Catholic, and Merz himself trained as a lawyer. In 1989, he was elected to the European Parliament and later became a member of Germany's Bundestag (lower house).
In 2000, Merz became the chairman of the CDU/Christian Social Union (CSU) parliamentary group, but in 2002, he failed to defeat Chancellor Angela Merkel in a strong political contest and decided to take a political break afterward.
Merz's Life Outside Politics:
In 2009, Merz left politics and built a successful career in the private sector. He worked as a corporate lawyer, creating a significant personal fortune. During his spare time, he trained as a pilot and currently owns two aircraft.
Return to Politics:
In 2018, Merz surprised everyone by returning to politics and succeeded in building influence within the CDU. In 2020, he tried to regain the leadership of the party but was defeated. In 2021, he got another opportunity and was selected as the CDU/CSU candidate for Chancellor.
Merz’s Political Views and Stance:
Merz is a conservative politician and supports strict immigration policies. He has stated that if Germany were ever to fall into the hands of the AfD (Alternative for Germany) party, it would require serious attention. He has promised to reconsider decisions regarding drugs and nuclear energy.
However, some of his statements have sparked controversy. He referred to Muslim immigrant boys as "little Paschas" and labeled Ukrainian refugees as "welfare tourists," though he later apologized for these remarks.
Foreign Policy of Merz:
Merz is a NATO supporter and has expressed strong support for Ukraine, criticizing Scholz when he refused to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles.
Challenges for Merz:
Experts say that while Merz is currently on the path to becoming Germany's next Chancellor, he will need some support to form a government. David Wilp of the German Marshall Fund stated, "Friedrich Merz is certainly ready to become the next Chancellor, but he needs support to form a stable government."
Now, it remains to be seen how the election turns out for Merz, and whether he will be elected as the next Chancellor of Germany.
