After the CDU suffered a narrow defeat in the Baden‑Württemberg state elections, Chancellor Friedrich Merz leveled harsh accusations against the Greens. He said he was worried about the reports he had heard from Baden‑Württemberg regarding “personal injuries” that had arisen during the campaign. The CDU leader quoted that a campaign launched by a circle of Greens, in particular several Green Bundestag members, had targeted Manuel Hagel and extended far into his family. He added that the same individuals now “demonstrate against hate and harassment online”.
Merz stated that the CDU is ready to talk with the Greens in Baden‑Württemberg, but the significant gains of the CDU and the equal number of seats must also be reflected in government policy and, before that, in a potential coalition agreement.
He also turned his attention to the upcoming Rhineland‑Palatinate election in two weeks. “If you want the CDU to win in Rhineland‑Palatinate, you must give the CDU both votes” he said. He warned that anyone who votes for the FDP, the Free Voters or the AfD will ultimately be partly responsible if a Red‑Red‑Green coalition governs. Specifically about the FDP, Merz declared that the party had “completely disappeared from the political stage in Germany” yesterday and would “no longer play a role”. He said four percent for the FDP is at least one percent too little for the FDP, but also four percent too little for the CDU. Therefore he urged FDP voters to now vote for the CDU in Rhineland‑Palatinate so that a change in the minister‑premier’s office can occur.
Merz said he does not expect any impact on the federal government. He has already spoken with SPD leaders Bärbel Bas and Lars Klingbeil, and the two sides agree that the result will have no effect on the coalition in Berlin. “We will continue our work” Merz said.
