CDU/CSU parliamentary group board meets with Merz and Söder after Spahn's resignation

The executive board of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag is convening for an emergency digital meeting this afternoon. The session, called on short notice, will include discussions with the leaders of both the CDU and CSU parties, Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder, respectively.

Interim group leader Alexander Hoffmann and Parliamentary Managing Director Steffen Bilger extended the invitation for the 3:00 PM meeting via SMS. The primary agenda item is expected to be the upcoming election of a new parliamentary group leader. Jens Spahn recently resigned from this position, creating a vacancy that the party aims to fill.

The election for Spahn's successor is scheduled for next Wednesday. It is widely anticipated that Merz and Söder will present a joint proposal to the parliamentary group regarding the candidate. However, the specific timing for this proposal has not yet been announced, leaving some anticipation surrounding the party's leadership decision.