(GermanPolicy.com) – Friedrich Merz will become the new CDU chairman and successor to Armin Laschet. During a, mainly virtual, federal party conference, Merz received 94.6 percent of the votes cast. This must now be formally confirmed by postal vote. Merz called for a “powerful” new beginning. He urged the CDU to remain united. The CDU, currently the strongest opposition party, wants to put the government back in place and, until then control, the government, Merz pointed out. In this context, he criticized that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) did not show the leadership he had promised. 1001 delegates voted at the party congress. The final result is due on 31 January.