Former CSU chief Horst Seehofer criticized Friedrich Merz (CDU) and called for an immediate course correction. Speaking to “Bild am Sonntag”, Seehofer asserted that Merz had suffered a massive loss of credibility by breaking electoral promises, specifically noting that the CDU and CSU had promised, first and foremost, a reduction in the electricity tax for everyone, but nothing has happened.
The former minister-president demanded a radically different approach from the government, arguing, “We need significantly more momentum and significantly less self-indulgence.” He insisted that new committees are unnecessary because a leading politician needs to take a stance directly. He equated this necessity to a player in the Bundesliga: if they were involved in the league, they would have to adopt a position-for instance, regarding healthcare-and use that basis to push solutions through the coalition. Seehofer warned that if trust is broken and is constantly followed by new, unmet promises, the political system fails.
Seehofer also severely criticized the Union for not consistently fighting the financial burdens facing citizens. He pointed out that people are living in an era where debt, taxes, duties, rents, and energy costs are all rising. What citizens need is real relief, but instead, the issue of “cold progression” means that even small wage increases are immediately consumed by rising costs. He lamented that within the Union, no one dares to say, “Stop, this cannot continue.”
Most sharply, the CSU politician denounced Merz’s remarks regarding the work ethic in Germany. He stated that claims that Germans work too little and take too many sick days are hurtful to the people. He challenged this rhetoric by asking, “What do you tell a nurse who is already pushing weekend and night shifts?” Furthermore, he cited his experience at Audi, where he observes that employees who would like to work more are instead offered contracts ending early. He concluded that this generalized language completely ignores the reality of the situation.
