Söder backs Merz but leaves CDU leadership question open

Bavaria's CSU leader Markus Söder has publicly backed Chancellor Friedrich Merz, ruling out any CSU support for a leadership challenge, while leaving open the possibility of such moves within the CDU itself. Söder called the election result in Saxony-Anhalt a "historic wake-up call," urging the federal government to accelerate its reforms. He noted that AfD and BSW together achieved a majority, which he described as "anti-democratic and pro-Russian." Söder acknowledged Merz faces intense political pressure and a "brutal" campaign against him. He declined to say whether he would be a successor candidate, and expressed hope the government lasts until 2029.