New book: “Friedrich Merz does not fit the macho stereotype”

What does Friedrich Merz (CDU) really want? While he presented himself as a doer during the election campaign, even before he took office, questions about his agenda and what drives him became apparent.

The adoption of the massive debt package in March with majorities from the old Bundestag raised this question clearly for the first time, but in the past week alone, he first hinted at a new lifting of the range restriction on weapons delivered to Ukraine, then retracted it, and at the same time positioned himself critically toward the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which he had previously defended quite unconditionally. All of this inspires admiration among some and irritation among others.

Historian Rödder: Merz embodies the heartland of the Rhineland-Westphalian Christian Democrats

Mariam Lau , a journalist with Die Zeit magazine, who has followed Merz for years, has addressed these questions in her book "Merz: In Search of the Lost Center," published last Friday. The portrait, published by Ullstein , explores the Merz phenomenon in twelve chapters, attempting to unravel him—as an open-heart surgery, so to speak, of the chancellorship.

At the book launch on Wednesday at the Ullstein publishing house, Lau, flanked by the deputy editor-in-chief of Der Spiegel, Melanie Amman, the Schleswig-Holstein Minister-President Daniel Günther (CDU) and the history professor and CDU member Andreas Rödder, placed her observations in the context of the first weeks of Merz's chancellorship.

The blurb of Lau's book asks: "A conservative on the move – or on the wrong path?" Rödder classifies Merz as the embodiment of the "heartland of classical Rhineland-Westphalian Christian democracy," "he represents the old people's party." This is probably one of the reasons why CDU state leader Günther, who is considered to be part of the liberal wing, feels represented by Merz, he explains. Lau later explains that since taking office, Merz has been supported primarily by the liberals within the CDU.

Speaking of representation: Since his cabinet began work, Friedrich Merz's relationship with women has once again been the subject of debate. He argues that there are too few women in positions of power, and the coalition committee is too male-dominated. Lau devotes a whole chapter to the topic in her book. She spoke with Merz's wife and concludes: "Merz doesn't fit the macho stereotype." Her impression, the journalist explains, is that Merz and his wife have had each other's backs in the past, for example, with childcare. At the same time, the Chancellor presumably has no problem being in all-male circles.

Mariam Lau: Merz's firm conviction is his "Westernism"

Meanwhile, the mixed group at Lau's book launch agreed that Merz's chancellorship had begun "not entirely sure-footedly," as Andreas Rödder puts it. At the same time, the head of the liberal-conservative think tank "Republik21 " recalled that other governments also needed some time to find their way and then achieved "remarkable results." He pointed to the first red-green federal government under Gerhard Schröder, which began its work in 1998. In this context, Daniel Günther spoke of an "inhumane benchmark" being applied to Merz. One must consider that only a few weeks have passed since he took office.

But even during this short time, Merz has repeatedly demonstrated that he has difficulty engaging his coalition partner and other stakeholders. This was evident, for example, in the SPD's reactions to the discussion Merz initiated about limiting the range of German weapons in Ukraine. Mariam Lau suspects that the Chancellor has no intention of coordinating with his coalition partner. At worst, Merz's behavior amounts to "loudmouthing." Günther agrees with at least the first part of the analysis, saying that Merz must rely on the functioning of the coalition's internal communication mechanisms.

But what exactly are Merz's strengths? asks Spiegel journalist Amman towards the end of the event. Mariam Lau's answer is clear: Merz's only rock-solid conviction is his "Westernness." He was politically socialized in the 1990s and believes fervently in the idea of ​​European integration. This probably explains Merz's rise to prominence as chancellor, who, in the first weeks of his term, focused primarily on foreign policy. Party colleague Günther emphasizes something else: Merz's strength is convincing. Few people in Germany are physically capable of being attentive and present for more than 18 hours a day as chancellor. "I have absolutely no doubt that he has this power," says Günther.

Mariam Lau: Merz. In Search of the Lost Center. Ullstein, Berlin 2025. 336 pages, €24.99