Responding to the debate about a supposedly party-internal demand for a “chancellor swap” North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst finally spoke after days of silence, clearly backing Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (both are CDU members). In an interview with the “Westfalenpost” for its Saturday edition, Wüst stated, “To put it very clearly: the speculation from the past few days is just nonsense”. The Minister-President of NRW added, “I can only warn against such rumors and personnel speculation”.
Wüst and Merz are scheduled to meet next Monday in the Sauerland-the first meeting since the discussion began amidst a long-planned NRW CDU workshop. Addressing the situation, Wüst stressed, “The challenges in Germany are great-that’s all this is about. As I have already said: Our Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is tackling big tasks for Germany, Europe, and the world with great determination-and I offer him my full support. Friedrich Merz can rely on the entire NRW CDU in his work” Wüst told the newspaper.
He noted that the meeting of the NRW CDU leadership is “an important gathering in the year before the state election in North Rhine-Westphalia”. He further mentioned his pleasure at hosting the work meeting in the Sauerland, which is “Friedrich Merz’s home region” and that Merz will be attending.
This stance comes after the “Bild-Zeitung” had reported on Wednesday under the heading, “Is the chancellor swap coming now?”, naming Hendrik Wüst as a hot alternative candidate. Most major media outlets quickly picked up the story.
