German former chancellor backs Merz’s candidacy, warns against divisive coalition stance

Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, has expressed her support for Friedrich Merz as a suitable candidate for the position of chancellor.

Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has long aspired to this role, and Merkel believes he possesses the necessary qualities to succeed, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Merkel conveyed her best wishes to Merz, acknowledging his long-standing efforts to reach this goal. "I wish Friedrich Merz every success. He has worked a long time to achieve this goal – to become a candidate for the post of chancellor. And I wish him that he also has the strength to run a good election campaign," Merkel stated.

She emphasized the importance of political convictions, noting that these must align with public expectations. "They also have to be in line with what the population likes and expects from politics. And at the moment, economic issues are coming to the fore," she added.

Merkel further affirmed her confidence in Merz’s ability to succeed, saying, "I would not wish him success if I were not sure that he has everything he needs."

However, Merkel was critical of the stance taken by Markus Söder, the head of the Christian Social Union (CSU) of Bavaria, who has strongly opposed the idea of a potential coalition with the Greens.

Early parliamentary elections in Germany are set for February 23, 2025, which will lead to the formation of a new government and the election of a new chancellor. The current Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is running for re-election as the candidate from the Social Democrats, while his main rival is Friedrich Merz, the candidate from the CDU/CSU bloc. The CDU/CSU currently holds a polling rating of 30-33 per cent, while the SPD is trailing with a rating of 15-17 per cent.

By Vafa Guliyeva