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Merz nominates himself as chancellor candidate

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CDU names Merz as candidate for 2021 federal elections

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Merz wins CDU party vote

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On Tuesday, 22 June 2021, the CDU party announced that Merz will lead the party as its chancellor candidate in the 2021 federal elections.

The 65-year-old former CDU leader and corporate lobbyist was elected by 95% of delegates at a party conference in Berlin.

Merz will now lead the CDU in its campaign against incumbent Chancellor Angela Merkel's party, the CDU/CSU alliance, and the likely challenger, the SPD.

The CDU/CSU alliance is currently in a coalition government with the SPD, but Merz has said he wants to lead a government without the SPD.

Merz is considered to be on the party's right wing, and his election is likely to be seen as a shift to the right for the CDU.

He has pledged to cut taxes, reduce regulation, and strengthen the military.

Merz is also a supporter of closer ties with Russia, which has raised concerns among some in the CDU.

However, Merz is seen as a strong candidate for chancellor, and he is likely to be a formidable opponent for the SPD.

The 2021 federal elections will be held on 26 September 2021.

The CDU/CSU alliance is currently the largest party in the Bundestag, with 246 seats.

The SPD is the second largest party, with 153 seats.

The Greens are the third largest party, with 67 seats.

The FDP is the fourth largest party, with 80 seats.

The AfD is the fifth largest party, with 94 seats.

The Left is the sixth largest party, with 69 seats.

Other parties hold the remaining 29 seats.

The CDU/CSU alliance has been in power since 2005.

Angela Merkel has been chancellor since 2005.