Berlin (dpa) – The opposition in Germany’s Bundestag looks increasingly likely to be led by Christian Democrat lawmaker Friedrich Merz, as a rival for leadership of the party’s parliamentary faction dropped out of the running.
Merz, who is set to be the head of the Christian Democrats (CDU), is also expected to lead the parliamentary group of the CDU and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) as of mid-February.
The step would make him the leader of the opposition in the Bundestag.
Ralph Brinkhaus, who leads the parliamentary group, said he would not stand against Merz in a letter to CDU and CSU lawmakers on Thursday evening seen by dpa.
Brinkhaus suggested electing the new parliamentary group leader on February 15, the next regular session of the Bundestag. The lawmakers are expected to back Merz.
Brinkhaus had originally been due to remain in the role until the end of April but by stepping down early, he can avoid a potentially damaging power struggle ahead of key state elections in Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine Westphalia in March and May.
Merz has already been named the new leader of the CDU in an online vote which is to be confirmed by a postal vote. The results are to be announced on January 31.
The Christian Democrats are now in opposition after their worst-ever election result in September, when Angela Merkel retired from politics after 16 years in power. The new government – comprising the Social Democrats, Greens, and pro-business Free Democrats – took over in December.
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