German politician Friedrich Merz confirmed on Tuesday that he will fight for the post of chairman of the ruling party Christian Democratic Union in Germany.
“I will put forward my candidacy,” he said at a press conference in Berlin.
He added that he considers his decision to be correct, since in 2018, when the election of Angela Merkel’s successor as Chancellor Chancellor was held, he received 48.5% in the second round, which, he said, is evidence of support for his ideas.
Merz said Germany is going through a difficult time, saying that it is “polarized,” which, in his opinion, is evidence of the crimes committed by right-wing extremists. Among his goals, he called “restoring trust” in state institutions, more active work with the younger generation of Germans, effective control of illegal migration.
Friedrich Mertz was born in 1955 in Brilon, North Rhine-Westphalia. Maertz joined CDU during his studies at the grammar school, later received a law degree and worked for some time in the judicial system and private sector. In 1989-1994 he was a member of the European Parliament, in 1994-2009 he was a member of the Bundestag, including in 2000-2002 as head of the CDU/CSS faction.
In 2007, Maertz decided not to participate in new Bundestag elections out of “internal political” differences, after which he worked actively in the private sector. In 2018, after Merkel resigned as leader of the CDU, he took part in the election of a new party chairman, but lost in the second round to the current party leader, Annegret Kramp-Carrenbauer. Against the backdrop of the latter’s declining ratings, Merz was actively criticizing the party leadership.