CDU party leader Friedrich Merz firmly rejected speculation about possible coalitions, stating that the party is focused on fighting for the CDU rather than engaging in coalition debates. He emphasized that they talk about cooperation and coalitions after election dates, not before. Before the CDU federal party conference, Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther reignited the debate about a potential black and green coalition at the federal level, describing the Greens as a coalition partner with whom the Union can govern well.
Merz clarified that such statements are always made before party conferences and that the CDU is going into the conference with confidence and unity. He stressed that the party is fighting for majorities and trying to reach potential voters who could consider voting for the Union parties CDU and CSU. While the CDU has made progress, they are not yet where they want to be, but they are on the way.
Merz also discussed the upcoming state elections in Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg, stating that the CDU aims to build on its strength in East Germany. He ruled out any collaboration with the AfD and the Left Party, referencing current party conference resolutions. Merz expressed his intention to be actively involved in the election campaigns and emphasized that discussions about potential coalitions are being had collectively within the party.