After the disaster in the federal election, the leaders of the Union are trying to defuse internal power struggles that are flaring up.

In the constituent meeting of the new CDU / CSU parliamentary group, the previous chairman Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU) was initially only elected for seven months and not the usual one year on Tuesday.

CDU boss Armin Laschet and CSU boss Markus Söder had proposed such a compromise.

The CSU had previously indicated that it would not accept a provisional solution for just a few weeks.

Söder congratulated SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz on his election victory.

Laschet admitted his own mistakes as a candidate for chancellor in the election campaign.

Brinkhaus was elected in the session in the evening until the end of April 2022, as the FAZ learned.

He received 164 of 195 votes cast, or 85 percent.

There were two abstentions.

In the struggle for the election of the parliamentary group leadership, Laschet had previously come under acute pressure. The CDU leader announced on Monday that he had suggested that Brinkhaus should initially be the parliamentary group leader “in the phase of these coalition negotiations”. According to this, Brinkhaus was to remain in office until the constituent session of the Bundestag on October 26th - which the latter rejected outraged. The group feared that there might be opposing candidates and that the Union might paint a picture of conflict.

Before the parliamentary group meeting, CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt said that under no circumstances would he propose to elect a chairman for four or six weeks.

Shortly before the beginning of the meeting, Brinkhaus emphasized that he was very interested in a "harmonious start".

It is good that a compromise has been found.

"This also shows that we are capable of acting."

Much applause for Laschet

At the meeting, Laschet and Söder suggested, according to dpa information from participants, that Brinkhaus be re-elected for half a year.

Laschet was quoted as saying: "The fact that other candidates, who can also imagine that, have consented to this is a strong sign of the community that we need now." Laschet received a lot of applause, it said.

Before the parliamentary group meeting, Söder made it clear that he now sees the task of forming a government with the SPD, the Greens and the FDP first. “Olaf Scholz currently has the best chances of becoming Chancellor - clearly.” It is important to respect the election result, which was “a heavy defeat” for the Union. "We also offer the other, ie partners from the FDP and the Greens, to hold talks." But first, it was the SPD "as the one who has the voices ahead, it is up to the train," said Söder. "If that doesn't work, we are ready to talk to you."

Laschet insisted in the parliamentary group meeting that there are still opportunities for an alliance with the FDP and the Greens. "Don't give up on Jamaica so quickly," he was quoted from among participants. There are strong signals from the FDP in the direction of the Union. Laschet therefore admitted that the election result was a heavy blow. The processing must take place quickly. The CDU / CSU had plunged to the historic low of 24.1 percent. The SPD became the strongest force with 25.7 percent; it is aiming for a government with the FDP and the Greens.

Laschet also admitted to errors in the election campaign at the meeting. As a top candidate, he also made mistakes himself. He regretted that very much, he made clear according to the participants. And he wanted to apologize to those who were affected. According to participants, Brinkhaus said that the top candidate had not reached the voters. Söder thanked the MPs for fighting.

The CDU economic wing in the southwest also joined in internal criticism of Laschet.

The CDU needs "a rapid renewal of content and personnel" in the federal and state levels.

The "second disastrous election result after the state elections in Baden-Württemberg" calls into question the survival of the CDU as a people's party, announced the SME and Economic Union of Baden-Württemberg.

Bavaria's Finance Minister Albert Füracker (CSU) told the newspaper Rheinische Post: "The CSU is not responsible for this defeat."