CDU revolt over Friedrich Merz: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern deputy leader calls for his removal

Friedrich Merz is facing open criticism from within his own party after the CDU's disastrous showing in Saxony-Anhalt. Tino Schomann, deputy leader of the CDU in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has called for the chancellor to be replaced.

"Berlin bears the main responsibility," Schomann said in an interview with North German Broadcasting, referring to the CDU's poor election result. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will hold its own state election at the same time as Berlin next week, adding pressure to the party's federal leadership.

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Berlin bears the main responsibility.

Schomann said the CDU needed a figure at the top who could convey "empathy, credibility and reliability." Referring to Merz, he said: "He has shown that he cannot do that." In Schomann's assessment, Merz is "unsuitable to unite the country and solve the country's problems."

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empathy, credibility and reliability

He said the federal government needed a different kind of leader and that he had hoped the party leadership would wake up after the election debacle. That had not happened, he said, adding that the party grassroots needed to apply more pressure.

Several senior CDU politicians have rejected a personnel debate over Merz after the AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt. The CDU, however, faces the prospect of its worst result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's history, with polling putting it between 8% and 10%. The AfD leads at 35%.

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He has shown that he cannot do that.

The CDU suffered a major defeat in Saxony-Anhalt and will no longer govern there. The AfD, classified as definitely far-right, emerged as the strongest party but failed to win an absolute majority. It is seeking support, while all other parties have rejected a coalition and the BSW has indicated it may be open to issue-by-issue backing.

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unsuitable to unite the country and solve the country's problems.