German elections: Merkel nemesis Friedrich Merz joins team Laschet

Staunch conservative Friedrich Merz has lost many power struggles within the Christian Democratic Union. Now he's throwing his weight behind struggling chancellor candidate Armin Laschet — to get what in return?

Just three months ago, Friedrich Merz was competing against Armin Laschet to become chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Germany's largest big- tent party. He lost. Again. For the second time in three years, party delegates decided that Friedrich Merz was not the best man to lead Angela Merkel's conservatives.

Now the former head of the German arm of US investor Blackrock is making a big return as part of the Laschet election campaign team.

"For me, Friedrich Merz firmly belongs in the team of the Union for the federal election," Laschet said during a video call with CDU representatives in the southwestern state of BadenWürttemberg on Tuesday.

"With his economic and financial competence, Merz can help decisively to master the huge challenges facing Germany after the pandemic," Laschet went on to say.

More than a decade after leaving parliament, Merz is still the darling of the CDU's conservative wing. A staunch Catholic, he opposes the liberalization of the CDU under Angela Merkel over the past 20 years.

Merz promotes economic policy renewal and complains about bureaucratic hurdles for companies because of regulatory requirements, like environmental protection. Many in the party agree and still have high hopes for him.

'Soft' Laschet

News of Merz' return has been of little surprise in the more conservative of CDU circles. The corporate lawyer is seen as the ticket for the moderate Laschet to win over Germany's eastern states, who feel drawn to strong