Following the recent election in Saxony-Anhalt and a subsequent conflict with Friedrich Merz, Sepp Müller, the Deputy Head of the CDU parliamentary group, is intensifying pressure on both the Chancellor and the CDU leader. Speaking to Welt TV, Müller insisted that the Chancellor must now demonstrate tangible results in implementing necessary reforms, stating that the Union must shift its focus-promising less and implementing more. This mandate applies equally to the party’s top leadership.
Müller lamented the political consequences of the party’s actions, arguing that “we have lost credibility” and “we have lost trust.” He explained that the public’s diminishing faith stemmed from the Union’s inability to execute its commitments with the promised speed, as well as from altering its course of action-citing changes like increased debt-away from what it had advocated before the election. Müller characterizes this situation as a broader “crisis of confidence” rooted in broken promises.
In his view, to rebuild trust, the entire Union, including its highest figures, needs to commit to implementing policies rather than just making promises. He added that one cannot promise something if one cannot feasibly deliver it. While Müller deflected direct comment on the Chancellor’s personal share of the responsibility, he did draw attention to the persistently weak polling numbers for Friedrich Merz. Ultimately, Müller believes Merz is responsible for the current deficit, stressing that the Chancellor is the main driving force behind reforms and expressing hope that these measures will be successfully carried out.
Despite the public criticism directed at Merz and the CDU leadership following the Saxony-Anhalt polls, Müller maintained a composed demeanor. He clarified that he had visited the Chancellor on Tuesday, where he “warmly greeted” him, and reiterated that they would continue to work together in a constructive manner.
