Friedrich Merz, elected CDU chairman in January 2022, is seen by his party as a strong candidate for chancellor, but many await the final decision post-Brandenburg elections.
Markus Soder, CSU leader and Bavarian premier, has openly challenged the current coalition government, urging for its replacement while firmly rejecting cooperation with the Greens.
Both Merz and Soder, described as political 'alpha animals', are competing fiercely for leadership within the CDU/CSU alliance, pushing their parties further right.
The CDU and CSU, while able to operate independently, rely on their alliance structure when contesting for power, making the upcoming leadership decision critical.
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