Söder and Merz — This is going to be funny

RP ONLINE Söder and Merz — This is going to be funny Hagen Strauß • 11 hours • 3 minutes read Berlin. Markus Söder recently tried his hand at jokes, some of which sometimes went awry. So how will the CSU leader behave once Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor? This could be funny for Merz. If you like, CSU leader Markus Söder was the class clown during the coalition negotiations between the CDU/CSU and SPD. A joke here, a dig there. That's what insiders report. Söder lightened the tough negotiations and, at the time, had his sights set on Labor Minister Hubertus Heil of the SPD. However, it is noted that this was usually done in such a way that the person concerned could also grin along. Söder, the joker. CDU leader Friedrich Merz is likely to have some fun with the Bavarian once he becomes Chancellor. At the presentation of the coalition agreement two weeks ago, it was the Minister-President who particularly stood out with his quips. Söder celebrated the result like no other, prompting the assembled SPD leadership in the front row to occasionally roll their eyes. He even used Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous quote from one of his Terminator films: "I'll be back." The opposition criticized this as "too flippant," "ridiculous," and "macho behavior." However, there's no doubt that the CSU leader will have a significant say in Berlin after the formation of the federal government. Whether he will continue to do so in a clown-like manner remains to be seen. Especially since Söder doesn't particularly take to jokes at his own expense. The CSU will, in any case, have three ministers: for the Interior, for Research, Technology and Space, and for Food, Agriculture and Homeland Security. Plus a Minister of State in the Foreign Office. Ministers chosen by Söder. There is also the coalition committee, which will meet at least monthly. Söder will be there. However, there are rumors within the CDU/CSU that his enthusiasm for meetings in the capital is limited, as has often been shown in the past. He likes to limit himself to "short attendances." The fact is: The CSU has achieved a great deal in the coalition negotiations, which makes it strong. All of its favorite topics, from agricultural diesel to mothers' pensions, are included in the agreement. A complete success for Söder – and especially for his Berlin representative, Alexander Dobrindt. There is also a persistent rumor that Söder negotiated a special prize for his support of CDU leader Merz's candidacy for chancellor – the office of Federal President. Not for himself, he has already clearly rejected that. Him in Bellevue, hardly imaginable. But for the CSU, or more precisely: for a CSU woman. No one in the CDU/CSU wants to confirm this. The question doesn't even arise yet, they say. The next election won't take place until 2027. But there are still whispers about it. Now, the truth is that Merz could also count on Söder; during the election campaign, even though the Bavarian, from the CDU's perspective, criticized the Greens far too often. And during the coalition negotiations. Söder was "reliable" for Merz, it is emphasized. But the Bavarian also likes to show who he is. On trips abroad, for example, most recently to India, even when he got a stomach bug there. Merz therefore knows full well that he has to be on his guard against Söder. Even as Chancellor. It is emphasized that there will be no special connections between Berlin and Munich. The two talk to each other a lot on the phone or send messages anyway. And Söder also knows: "Merz won't let anyone take the bread and butter off his plate." Whether with or without humor—we'll see.