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CDU Friedrich Merz - 10 things to know with detail

• Background: Friedrich Merz is a German politician and business executive who has been a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since 1972. He has served as a member of the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament, and held various positions within the CDU, including chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.
• Business Career: Merz is a lawyer by profession and has worked in various roles in the financial industry, including as a partner at the law firm Taylor Wessing and as a board member of the German arm of the investment bank BlackRock.
• Economic Policy: Merz is known for his conservative economic views and has advocated for lower taxes, deregulation, and a more business-friendly environment in Germany. He has been critical of the European Union's fiscal policies and has called for greater fiscal discipline.
• Social Issues: Merz is considered a social conservative and has taken a hardline stance on issues such as immigration and family values. He has called for stricter controls on immigration and has expressed support for traditional family structures.
• Foreign Policy: Merz has been a vocal supporter of NATO and has called for increased defense spending by Germany. He has also spoken out against Russian aggression in Ukraine and has advocated for a stronger European response to Russian interference in European affairs.
• Leadership Style: Merz is known for his strong leadership style and has been described as a charismatic and forceful speaker. He is seen as a polarizing figure within the CDU, with some members praising his boldness and others criticizing his confrontational approach.
• Relationship with Merkel: Merz has had a complicated relationship with Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been the leader of the CDU since 2000. Merz challenged Merkel for the party leadership in 2002 and 2018 but was ultimately defeated both times.
• Return to Politics: After a decade-long hiatus from politics, Merz announced his candidacy for the CDU party leadership in 2018. He narrowly lost to Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in a closely contested election.
• Future Ambitions: Merz has expressed interest in running for the CDU's nomination for Chancellor in the next federal election, which is scheduled to take place in 2021. He has positioned himself as a potential alternative to Merkel's centrist leadership style.
• Popularity and Support: Merz enjoys strong support among conservative members of the CDU, who see him as a principled and uncompromising leader. However, he also faces criticism from more moderate members of the party who are wary of his divisive rhetoric and confrontational approach.