Stuttgart, Germany – Friedrich Merz secured a significant victory at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party congress in Stuttgart on Friday, being re-elected as party leader for a further two years. The vote, held on February 20, 2026, saw Merz receive 878 votes from delegates, representing 91.17% of those present, when accounting for the CDU’s practice of not weighting abstentions. Including the 14 abstentions and 85 votes against, the overall support for Merz reached 89.87%. This outcome underscores Merz’s continued influence within the CDU and positions him to lead the party as it navigates a complex political landscape in Germany.
The re-election comes at a pivotal moment for the CDU, as the party seeks to regain ground against the rising popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and maintain a stable coalition government with the Social Democrats (SPD). Merz’s speech at the congress focused heavily on these challenges, emphasizing the need for unity within the CDU and a clear rejection of the AfD’s ideology. He also called for a more constructive working relationship with the SPD, criticizing what he described as a pattern of obstructionism between the two governing parties. The outcome of this congress is therefore crucial not only for the internal dynamics of the CDU but also for the broader stability of German politics.
This latest vote represents Merz’s second-best result as CDU chairman. He previously achieved even higher levels of support in 2022, receiving 94.6% of votes at an online party congress and 95.3% through a subsequent postal ballot. In 2024, he secured 89.8% of the vote. The results highlight a consistent level of support for Merz within the party base, despite ongoing political challenges and internal debates. The strong showing contrasts with the results seen in other recent party leadership elections; for example, Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria, received 83.6% of the vote at the CSU party congress, while Bärbel Bas, elected as co-chair of the SPD in the summer of 2025, garnered 95% of the vote. Lars Klingbeil, also a co-leader of the SPD, received approximately 65% of the vote.
Merz’s Call for Unity and Critique of the AfD
During his address to the CDU delegates, Merz launched a strong attack on the AfD, accusing the party of nepotism, chaos, and abuse of public office. He argued that the AfD presents itself as an alternative to the political center but is, in reality, serving its own interests. “They act as if they were an alternative to the political center. In reality, they are serving their own interests,” Merz stated, according to reporting from Deutsche Welle. DW reported that Merz also warned against authoritarian tendencies in Germany, noting a potential for citizens to seek security and order in times of upheaval, which could lead to dangerous outcomes. He emphasized the importance of learning from history and avoiding the pitfalls of authoritarianism.
Merz presented the current coalition with the SPD as the only viable alternative, asserting that both parties represent the political center. However, he acknowledged that Germany and its social policies are facing a “paradigm shift,” stressing the need for urgent reforms to the German welfare state. This call for reform signals a potential shift in the CDU’s policy platform and a willingness to address long-standing challenges within the German social system. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong social safety net while also promoting economic growth and innovation.
European Support and Concerns over Coalition Dynamics
The re-election of Merz was met with praise from Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who described it as a positive signal for Europe. According to DW, Stocker stated that Merz represents a clear, center-right political stance that is beneficial both within Germany and across the continent, particularly in a time of geopolitical uncertainty. Nico Marchetti, the General Secretary of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), further emphasized the importance of the CDU and CSU as key partners for the ÖVP in Europe.
However, Merz also acknowledged the challenges within the governing coalition, calling for greater discipline and cooperation between the CDU and SPD. He criticized the tendency for one coalition partner to propose policies that are routinely rejected by the other, urging both parties to move beyond this pattern of obstructionism. This call for improved collaboration suggests that Merz recognizes the need for a more functional and productive working relationship with the SPD to effectively govern Germany. He conceded that the coalition may have set the bar too high for immediate reform following the change in government.
Firm Stance Against the AfD and Upcoming Elections
A central theme of Merz’s address was his unwavering opposition to any cooperation with the AfD. He explicitly ruled out any softening of the CDU’s stance towards the far-right party, stating his commitment to seeking support exclusively from the political center. “I have conclusively decided to seek the approval of our policies exclusively in the political center of our country,” Merz declared. He warned against the dangers of seeking short-term political gains through alliances with right-populist forces, emphasizing the importance of preserving Germany’s historical legacy. He stated that his party would not allow the AfD to “ruin” the country.
Merz also stressed the importance of the CDU’s performance in upcoming state elections in eastern Germany, particularly in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt, scheduled for September. He urged the party to fight against the rise of right-wing extremism and prevent it from gaining power in state governments. While acknowledging the challenges facing centrist parties in these regions, where current polling data suggests they may not be able to form a majority government without the support of the AfD or the Left Party, Merz reiterated the CDU’s firm commitment to excluding both parties from any potential coalition agreements.
“Foreign Minister” Label and Role in Government
Merz addressed the perception that he is more focused on foreign policy than domestic issues, acknowledging that he is often referred to as the “Foreign Minister.” He framed this as a “compliment,” arguing that foreign and domestic policy are inextricably linked. He emphasized the importance of strength – both military and economic – in a new era of great power competition, echoing his earlier calls for greater European autonomy at the Munich Security Conference. This suggests a continued emphasis on Germany’s role as a key player in international affairs and a commitment to strengthening its position on the global stage.
Merz described his role in the government as a catalyst for optimism and ambition, stating his intention to set challenging goals and motivate his colleagues to achieve them. He expressed a desire to build and move forward, rather than being held back by pessimism or inertia. His criticism of the Green Party’s initial opposition to the Mercosur trade agreement with Latin American nations, which received strong applause from the delegates, underscored his commitment to promoting economic growth and free trade.
Standing Ovation and Merkel’s Presence
The conclusion of Merz’s speech was met with a prolonged standing ovation lasting more than ten minutes, a powerful display of support from the CDU delegates. Notably, former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was in attendance for the first time since leaving office, joined in the applause. Her presence was itself a significant moment, as she received a warm welcome from the delegates, briefly interrupting Merz’s opening remarks. Merz acknowledged Merkel as a “loyal companion” and praised her role in personifying German unity during her 16 years as Chancellor.
Despite a historically strained relationship between Merz and Merkel, her presence at the congress signaled a potential thawing of tensions. Merkel had previously criticized Merz both during his time as opposition leader and as Chancellor. Her attendance and participation in the applause were seen by many as a gesture of support and a recognition of Merz’s leadership. The last CDU party congress attended by Merkel while in office was held digitally in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before she was succeeded by Olaf Scholz (SPD) in December of the same year.
Key Takeaways
- Friedrich Merz has been re-elected as CDU leader with a strong mandate from the party base.
- Merz has firmly rejected any cooperation with the far-right AfD and called for unity within the CDU.
- He emphasized the need for reforms to the German welfare state and a more constructive relationship with the SPD.
- Merkel’s presence at the congress signaled a potential reconciliation between the two leaders.
- The CDU faces significant challenges in upcoming state elections in eastern Germany.
Looking ahead, the CDU will focus on preparing for the upcoming state elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt in September. The outcome of these elections will be a crucial test of Merz’s leadership and the CDU’s ability to counter the rise of the AfD. The party will also continue to navigate the complexities of its coalition government with the SPD, seeking to find common ground on key policy issues and deliver on its promises to the German people.
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