Friedrich Merz Nominated by CDU/CSU to Challenge Olaf Scholz in 2024 German Election

Sep 23, 2024, 11:37 AM

Friedrich Merz has been officially nominated as the candidate for chancellor by Germany’s opposition conservative alliance, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), to challenge the incumbent Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz in next year's national election. Despite the CDU/CSU's wide lead over the SPD in German polls, Merz's personal polling numbers are weaker, indicating a potentially tighter race. Merz has faced several setbacks in his political career, but the chancellery now appears within his grasp.