CDU leader Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder proposed Thorsten Frei (CDU) for the chairmanship of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag on Wednesday. The CDU announced that the proposal was put forward to the group leadership during a video conference and subsequently presented to the full membership. The group is scheduled to vote on the matter in a special session on July 29th.
Merz appealed to the party for approval of Frei, stating that he has played a crucial role in the success of the government’s work and the stability of the coalition thus far. He also attributed the “reforming successes of recent weeks” to his own efforts. Merz added that Frei comes “from the heart of the party” and will ensure the “perfect interplay” between parliament, the coalition partners, and the federal government.
As CSU chairman, Söder supported the Chancellor’s proposal, confirming that Thorsten Frei would be a good chair of the joint Bundestag parliamentary group. The Bavarian Minister-President explained that they had worked well with him previously in his roles as a cabinet minister or as a parliamentary chief executive.
Regarding the outgoing parliamentary group leader, Jens Spahn (CDU), Merz acknowledged that Spahn had driven the construction of the government parliamentary group “purposefully, reliably, and successfully” during a critical period. Merz specifically praised Spahn’s “significant role” in developing the government’s reform initiatives over the last few weeks, adding, “I thank him very much for that.”
Spahn had stepped down on Saturday following intense criticism. He was criticized for his use of surrogacy in the United States, especially after he had expressed opposition to the legalization of surrogacy in Germany in 2020 while he was leading the Ministry of Health, following earlier statements in 2015.
