Friedrich Merz: The Calculated Boredom of CDU Leader

CDU-Chef Friedrich Merz bei seiner Rede auf dem Parteitag in Berlin: souverän, aber zurückhaltender als üblich

© Ebrahim Noroozi / Picture Alliance

Friedrich Merz, the outspoken member of the CDU, delivered a surprisingly dull speech at the party conference. However, it is possible that there was a strategy behind this lackluster performance. The choreography of the conference was well-planned, with Regierender Bürgermeister von Berlin Kai Wegner delivering a rather boring speech just before Merz took the stage. This allowed Merz to capture the attention of the audience with some inspiring words for the Christian Democratic soul.

Despite the anticipation, Merz's speech failed to deliver the expected fireworks. Nonetheless, there were some important takeaways from the speech.

Kein Blick zurück

Merz started his speech with a gentle introspection, looking forward with clarity. The CDU leader praised the "new self-confidence" of his party. "With this program, we are immediately ready to take on government responsibility for Germany again." Thus, the cruising altitude was quickly reached: this is not just a party conference, no, it is the kick-off event for the "Back to the Chancellery" operation.

The "short look back," as Merz calls it, only goes back two years. That is only as far back as the Merz era has lasted. Merz praises party colleagues across all lower levels. This always goes down well, first think of the base.

Germany needs a growth package, but the Union is needed for that. CDU leader Friedrich Merz must decide.

So Much Statesman, but Not Yet a Chancellor's Speech

Friedrich Merz's speech at the CDU party conference was marked by his usual statesmanlike demeanor, but without going overboard. He spoke clearly and remained in the classic CDU tone. He dutifully went through each topic, from abolishing the basic income to ending the "ghost ride" of climate protection. Merz reminded the audience of past successes, quoting Ludwig Erhard, Norbert Lammert, Helmut Kohl, and Wolfgang Schäuble. He criticized the statism of other parties and called for an "agenda for the diligent."

While there was little that was surprising or original in Merz's speech, it is likely that this was his intention. With the German coalition government already providing enough surprises, Merz is offering a counter-proposal of reliability, principles, and order. He can count on the trust of his party, but now he seeks to win the trust of voters. As the fictional character Stromberg once said, "Let Papa handle it!"

Friedrich Merz merkelt

Friedrich Merz became the leader of the CDU to make the party more controversial and combative. For a long time, he played the personified antithesis to Angela Merkel. However, in his speech, there is not much to hear about that. Merz does not mention the former chancellor by name, but he sometimes seems to have attended a workshop in polished boredom with her. He touches on internal security without appearing too much like a sheriff, demands reforms in government benefits without blowing the trumpet for a social policy revolution, and criticizes the traffic light coalition without constantly attacking it.

Merz presents himself as conservative, social, and liberal, doing exactly what many of his staunch fans always accused Merkel of doing. Is Merz having a bad day? Maybe. But it could also be a calculated move. The times have changed for Merz, too. When he fought for the party leadership three years ago, he needed a disruptive narrative. Now that he wants to lead the Union towards the Chancellorship, he cannot give the impression that he wants to change everything. He must embody the people's party in its entire breadth.

To summarize, Merz's speech at the party conference seemed calculated to avoid appearing too disruptive or controversial. He touched on important issues such as internal security and government benefits but did not come across as too extreme in his views. He presented himself as a leader who can embody the entire breadth of the people's party, rather than just a narrow segment of it.

Friedrich Merz Embraces Internal Critics

Before Friedrich Merz's speech, many wondered how he would react to internal competition. Specifically, would he address the comments made by Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President, Daniel Günther, who had urged the party to adopt a more Merkel-style centrist approach? Or would he respond to rumors that North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President, Hendrik Wüst, was considering a run for chancellor?

At the Estrel Hotel, Merz chose to embrace his critics. He began his speech by praising those in the party who had won elections, naming Günther and Wüst first. He then went on to name others, from local to regional levels, including Christian Herrgott, who had narrowly defeated an AfD competitor in the Saale-Orla-Kreis district election.

Merz also mentioned Serap Güler, a Bundestag member whom he had reportedly yelled at months earlier over her perceived disloyalty. He thanked her and Thuringian CDU leader Mario Voigt for their work on the party's platform, showing himself to be a conciliatory figure. By doing so, he took the wind out of the sails of his opponents at the party conference.

Merz also gave verbal praise to Alexander Dobrindt, the CSU parliamentary group leader. Conveniently, Dobrindt is not known to be a close ally of Markus Söder, the CSU leader who has occasionally taken jabs at Merz from Munich.

It is worth noting that Söder was set to speak the following day.

This strategy of embracing his critics allowed Merz to diffuse tension within the party and present himself as a unifying figure. By acknowledging and praising those who had previously opposed him, he demonstrated a willingness to work with others and build consensus. This approach could help him win over more moderate members of the party and position himself as a leader who can unite the CDU and lead it to victory in the upcoming election.