Sepp Müller, the deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, welcomed the announcement that former Chancellor Angela Merkel has unexpectedly planned a visit to the CDU party convention. “Merkel ruled successfully for 16 years” Müller told the RTL‑ntv programme “Frühstart” on Wednesday. “If that is Friedrich Merz’s aim, I wish him and all of us success together so that we can achieve a chancellorship as successful as the one under Merkel”.
Müller reflected on past decisions, saying some were not right and that the party will now act “differently and better”. “One thing is clear, however: we had a good chancellor. Merkel steered our country through turbulent times” he added.
When discussing Merz’s re‑election as CDU party chairman, Müller predicts a very good outcome, “much better than other party leaders in the coalition faction”. He stressed that the result isn’t about percentages but about how the CDU positions itself to maintain a prominent profile. “It’s important to have a chairperson at the top who commands strong support from our members” Müller said, confident that Merz will receive an overwhelming majority.