The shocking earthquake not only for CDU

The CDU's got its legs. The next up-to-date popular party, the SPD, has long wavering and is seeking a position, seeks its course, its nucleus. Like SPD head Andrea Nahles, resigned from leading the oldest German party in early summer of 2019, after 13 months of chairmanship, Kramp-Carrenbauer now announces her withdrawal after only 14 months.

And now? Names, names, names, speculations and rumors. But in the matter of future leadership and the Chancellorial candidate under discussion are more things. The party must clarify the image of itself and its cohesion. Because for a long time The CDU does not act as a joint party, and this is highlighted in Tyringia and the federation, on the internet and in the daily hard work, in co-operation and often in opposing each other. Eleven weeks have passed since the CDU federal party conference in Leipzig, where chairman Kramp-Carrenbauer applauded them, which after constant criticism challenged the open word there.

What will be decided is not only the question of whether the CDU will remain popular party and in the medium-term party plan in the government. No, traditional parliamentarians are at stake in Germany, party importance, party discipline and the freedom of conscience of MPs. And it's also at stake whether and how the third parties can face populist right forces and extreme currents.

Kramp-Carrenbauer argued its decision with “powerful centrifugal forces” in the society that a strong CDU under unified leadership was needed. After all, it is about the future of democracy in Germany. Almost 71 years after its establishment, the Federal Republic is facing a test, perhaps before the conclusion of its former party system. The other camps, including the strong Turkey, are not taking over or are still taking over the role of previous popular parties.

In late January, federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke in Bundestag to commemorate the victims of nationalism. Then he spoke in dark words about the new right arm and the old “ ”, for” the bad spirits of the past “, which today appear “with a new cloak”. I'm afraid we weren't prepared enough for this but that's why our time proves us! And we have to pass this exam, ” said the president. He wasn't talking about a single party. Steinmeier warned all politics and society.

The growing instability that runs parallel with the announcement of the Kramp-Carrenbauer resignation and the struggle for the course affects Germany at a time when economic development is becoming more uncertain and social policy decay is emerging. The time when politics worldwide seems to become more unstable by American President Trump and other populist powers in the world, as never before since the fall of the Berlin Wall. At times when Europe-after-Brexit requires the way and when Germany takes over the EU Council's chairmanship in July. The Federal Republic faces international challenges as never before, and on a scale it has lost security as it has not been for a long time.

Many times it has been said that the end of Chancellor Merkel in office has begun. This started even before she left the CSU leadership post announced at the end of October 2018, and was followed six weeks later by the choice of Kramp-Carrenbauer as successor. And he hasn't fired since then. Now, in the political storm of this Monday, which is really stormy in Germany, this bell can really be heard: Angela Merkel remains a political Chancellor and sovereign, but is only a Chancellor at his disposal. Her power in the party and her time in the Chancellor is coming to an end. And she no longer has the regular transition. A available Chancellor and a head of the CDU available are both not guaranteed political stability this year.

Almost every earthquake has its next stroke. In German politics the situation will become more peaceful, beyond the CSU leadership issue. More peaceful and interesting. And Germany still has this test to go through. / DW/