Söder: Berlin must step up its game

CSU leader Markus Söder has ruled out any attempt to topple Chancellor Friedrich Merz, but he is urging the federal government to significantly accelerate its reform efforts following the CDU's historic defeat in Saxony-Anhalt. In an interview with "Bild am Sonntag," Söder affirmed Merz as the right man for the job, dismissing speculation of a leadership change. He attributed the CDU's collapse to a brutal campaign against Merz, supported by figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and stressed the Union must stay united against the AfD. Söder criticized the government's performance as too meager, demanding action on social welfare abuse, cold progression, and energy prices. He specifically called on Labour Minister Bärbel Bas to make progress, while insisting on the implementation of the pension reform and the sick-note requirement.