Union Leaders Söder and Merz Reaffirm Opposition to AfD and Outline Election Strategy

At the CSU party convention, Söder and Merz emphasize the Union's role as a 'brandmauer' against the far-right while targeting undecided voters and smaller parties ahead of the Bundestag election.

Markus Söder and Friedrich Merz strongly rejected any collaboration with the AfD, labeling it a 'systemgegner' of democracy and pledging to act as a protective 'brandmauer' against extremism.
Merz criticized the FDP and urged voters to consolidate support for the CDU/CSU to maximize the coalition's chances of reaching its 35% target in the upcoming election.
Söder attacked the Greens and SPD, accusing them of policy failures, while Merz expressed willingness to engage in post-election discussions with the SPD under certain conditions.
The CSU party convention also highlighted internal unity between the CDU and CSU, with both leaders stressing the need for decisive action on migration and economic reforms.
Election tools like the Wahl-O-Mat have seen record usage, reflecting heightened voter interest, while logistical efforts for the February 23 election are bolstered by nearly 675,000 volunteers.