Berlin, Germany – In a boost for the CDU’s chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, prominent supporters are set to join the campaign. According to the Rheinische Post, Hans-Joachim Watzke, the outgoing CEO of Borussia Dortmund, will participate in a talk at the party convention and actively support Merz in the election campaign. Insiders have confirmed this to the newspaper.

Watzke and Merz, who are friends, share a connection through the Junge Union and both hail from the Hochsauerlandkreis. The CDU’s chancellor candidate can also count on the support of film producer Oliver Berben, the cycling champion Kristina Vogel and the agricultural influencer Marie Hoffman at the party convention.