Conservative candidates put focus on climate as they enter open race for campaign top spot
威力彩玩法 / ARD
CDU head Armin Laschet and his CSU counterpart Markus S枚der to become the conservative alliance鈥檚 candidate in Germany鈥檚 chancellor race, both putting climate action at the top of their bids. After months on the fence, S枚der declared that he too wants the top position, risking a divisive struggle among chancellor Angela Merkel鈥檚 conservatives. In 鈥� their first media appearance after announcing their decision on Sunday (11 April) 鈥� both candidates first named climate action when asked about their priorities. 鈥淲e need to draw up a modern programme that combines the economy and climate action,鈥� said S枚der. At after the CDU leadership decided to back Laschet, he laid out his bid: 鈥淢y position is clear: I want a modern Germany. I want us to link the climate action issues with the economic issues. And I want to fight to ensure that we remain an industrial country and retain industrial jobs.鈥� Laschet also put an emphasis on European cooperation and said this pledge was central to his bid. 鈥淲e need a European Germany.鈥�
Laschet is seen as the natural choice to win the nomination, as his party, the CDU, is the far bigger partner in the alliance with its Bavarian sister party CSU. However, voters don鈥檛 appear to see the centrist and Merkel ally Laschet as a good chancellor candidate. His those of S枚der . Both candidates have a mixed legacy in the field of climate and energy policy. The conservatives could choose their nominee as early as this week, although the process is unclear.
