Friedrich Merz: Germany’s Next Leader? A Simple Breakdown
(Based on BBC’s reporting)
Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is likely to become the country’s next Chancellor. His party is expected to win about 28% of the vote in the recent election. But the big question is: who will he team up with to form a government?
Merz, 69, is seen by his supporters as a strong leader who can fix Germany’s problems and restore trust in Europe. He’s not known for being exciting, but he promises to bring stronger leadership and solve many of Germany’s issues within four years.
Last month, Merz made a bold move by trying to tighten migration rules with support from far-right politicians. This shocked many because it broke a long-standing taboo in German politics. It also showed how different he is from his predecessor, Angela Merkel, who led the CDU with a more centrist approach.
Although Merz failed to change the law, his actions shook up the election campaign, which started after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government fell last year.
Merz has had a long journey in politics. He was once pushed aside by Merkel and left parliament to work in corporate jobs, making a lot of money. Many thought his political career was over, but now he’s back and closer than ever to becoming Chancellor.
Who is Friedrich Merz?
Merz was born in 1955 in a small town in western Germany. He comes from a conservative, Catholic family. His father was a judge, and his wife, Charlotte, is also a judge. They’ve been married for over 40 years and have three children.
As a teenager, Merz was a bit rebellious. He rode motorcycles, hung out with friends, and even played card games in class. But some say he wasn’t as wild as he claims. A former classmate said he just liked having the “last word” in arguments.
After school, Merz served in the military, studied law, and got into politics. He joined the CDU while still in school and was elected to the European Parliament in 1989. Later, he moved to Germany’s national parliament, where he quickly rose through the ranks.
A Rocky Political Career
Merz has tried three times to lead the CDU. His first two attempts failed, but he finally succeeded in 2022. Back in the early 2000s, he lost a power struggle to Angela Merkel, who became Chancellor. The two never got along well.
After leaving politics in 2009, Merz worked in finance and corporate law, becoming a millionaire. He returned to politics in 2021, determined to move the CDU away from Merkel’s centrist policies.
Controversial Moves
Merz has made some controversial decisions. Earlier this year, he pushed for stricter immigration rules with help from far-right politicians. This caused protests and was criticized by Merkel herself.
In the 1990s, Merz voted against a bill that included making marital rape a crime. He later said he believed marital rape was already illegal and that he objected to other parts of the bill.
What People Think of Him
Merz isn’t very popular with young people and women, but his supporters say he’s a strong leader. His wife, Charlotte, defends him, saying the criticism of his views on women is unfair. She says they’ve always supported each other in their careers and raising their children.
What’s Next?
If Merz becomes Chancellor, it could mean big changes for Germany and Europe. Some in the European Union are hopeful he can break Germany’s political deadlock and get things moving again.
As the BBC reports, Merz’s journey has been full of ups and downs, but he’s now closer than ever to achieving his dream of leading Germany. Whether he can unite the country and deliver on his promises remains to be seen.
(Credit: This simplified explanation is based on the original reporting by the BBC.)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxnzkyw7n1o