CDU's Merz Falls from Grace as Party Faces Identity Crisis

Friedrich Merz, once seen as the savior of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is now regarded as a fallen angel even by the party's right wing. His strategy to outflank the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has failed, leading to voter losses and an identity crisis. The CDU's 'C' for Christian is under scrutiny as the party distances itself from church teachings. After church protests against a January 2025 migration vote with AfD support, CDU parliamentary manager Steffen Bilger tweeted dismissively: "Not surprised, not interested." He has refused to delete the tweet despite criticism. Meanwhile, two explicit references to Christian social ethics were removed from the new CDU basic program, whose revision was entrusted to Merz and Carsten Linnemann.