Seehofer puts pressure on Merz ahead of CDU meeting
The former CSU leader accuses the chancellor of broken promises and calls for a change of course.
Follow-up to: CDU leadership seeks way out of crisis for Merz Sunday, 11 October 2026, 03:44
Listen to this article
There is no audio version yet. Request one and an AI voice will read the article aloud.
Read by an AI voice.
Just before the CDU meeting in Berlin, former CSU leader Horst Seehofer increased the pressure on Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to Seehofer, Merz has lost credibility through unfulfilled election promises and unfortunate remarks about working and sick leave.
According to Tagesschau, Seehofer said that Merz had suffered a ‘massive loss of credibility’. He referred, among other things, to promised tax cuts that had not been implemented, or had not been implemented in full. The former CSU chairman is calling for a clear correction of course and less internal party politics.
The CDU presidium is meeting in Berlin on Sunday and Monday. The meeting is focused on the party’s disappointing election results, weak poll ratings and the question of how the Christian Democrats should position themselves in the period ahead. Seehofer’s intervention therefore comes at a sensitive moment.
The criticism is not only about policy. Seehofer believes that Merz makes too many general statements and takes too few political decisions himself. Regarding the chancellor’s remarks about the German work ethic, he said that they affect employees who actually want to work more but are facing redundancy arrangements.
Seehofer cites healthcare as an example of an issue on which the head of government himself must choose a direction. His alternative to new commissions is faster negotiations within the coalition and taking visible decisions. In doing so, he echoes the broader complaint that the government spends too much time communicating about plans that have not yet been implemented.
Criticism of the relationship with the AfD is also being heard from the CSU. According to Tagesschau, CSU politician Manfred Weber has raised questions about how the CDU defines its distance from the party. This touches on a continuing strategic dilemma: winning back voters on the right without blurring the political boundary against cooperation with the AfD.
It is not yet clear whether Seehofer’s attack will have consequences during the meeting. He holds no formal position in the party leadership. He derives his influence mainly from his past as CSU leader and Bavarian minister-president, and from the fact that he is voicing criticism that has already been present within the party for some time.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Horst Seehofer has publicly criticised Friedrich Merz ahead of the CDU meeting.
- The CDU is discussing its course in Berlin following disappointing results and poor poll ratings.
- Seehofer has no formal position in the current party leadership.
Left
Arguments The criticism of remarks about the work ethic shows that economic problems should not be blamed on employees. The party should invest more in public services and social security.
Values Social protection, solidarity and workers’ rights.
Consequences A shift to the right could alienate employees and voters who depend on public services from the CDU even further.
Centre
Arguments The party primarily needs workable policies and reliable coalition agreements. Seehofer’s call for less self-absorption can be read as an appeal for administrative discipline.
Values Continuity, compromise and institutional stability.
Consequences A limited correction of course could make the coalition more workable without the CDU completely changing its profile.
Right
Arguments The CDU must speak more clearly about economic growth, work and migration and must not allow itself to be held hostage by internal criticism. A hard line against the AfD could continue to push voters towards that party.
Values Responsibility, order and political clarity.
Consequences A sharper profile could win back voters, but it would also increase the risk of further division within the CDU and CSU.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core can be traced directly to Tagesschau and a second open source. Political interpretation is presented as interpretation, not as established fact.
- confirmed Horst Seehofer accused Friedrich Merz of a major loss of credibility ahead of the CDU meeting. — Reported by Tagesschau and WEB.DE. source
- confirmed The CDU presidium is meeting in Berlin on Sunday and Monday. — Mentioned in Tagesschau’s current reporting. source
- confirmed Seehofer referred to broken promises and remarks about the German work ethic. — The subjects are explicitly mentioned in the source article. source
- confirmed Manfred Weber has raised questions about the boundary drawn against the AfD. — Tagesschau describes this as additional criticism from the CSU. source
Editor's note
Seehofer’s public criticism, the planned CDU meeting and the themes cited by sources are certain. What consequences the criticism will have within the party is uncertain; Seehofer has no formal position in the current party leadership.Sources
The story so far
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 17:48 CDU debates course after AfD gains
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 03:44 CDU leadership seeks way out of crisis for Merz
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 10:52 Seehofer puts pressure on Merz ahead of CDU meeting (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „duitsland cdu”
- Trouw — „duitsland cdu”
- NRC — „duitsland cdu”