As sensible as Helge Braun can argue, however diverse his “team” may be, he stands for the Merkel government like no other. And their days are numbered in any case. Quite a few CDU members want a fresh start. Braun then refers, as it were, to the separation of office and party. The long-standing CDU district chairman can only theoretically break away from the experienced head of the Federal Chancellery. If the CDU has lost its profile under Angela Merkel, is its manager of power in Berlin really the right man to reposition the party in the opposition? Anesthetist Braun is only really a newcomer in his capacity as a candidate for party chairmanship. Friedrich Merz and Norbert Röttgen, on the other hand, have already failed in this regard.
The base of the party, in turn, which is now on the move, is most likely to choose the one who - at least as a projection - stands for clear edge.
Merz should be ahead, but he's not as conservative as both supporters and opponents portray him.
The crucial question remains, with whom the Union - there is also the CSU - then has the chance to put the government back in office.
The electorate is not the party people.
The current offer of candidates looks pretty yesterday.
It is quite possible that the chairman to be elected, whether he wants to or not, will only be one who will shape a transition.