Why Weber and AKK are struggling

It’s not going well for the German Christian Democrats: The new CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (AKK) is descending in the polls. The attraction of the new is gone, analyses “Die Welt”.

But the problem is deeper. It could also pull down Manfred Weber (CSU), the Spitzenkandidat for the European elections.

After all, Weber is completely dependent on AKK. He was nominated by Chancellor Angela Merkel – and must now follow all the twists and turns of the new CDU leader.

This recently became apparent in the dispute over Hungary’s ruler Viktor Orban and the Fidesz: the decision to suspend Fidesz in the European People’s Party (EPP) was taken by AKK, not Weber.

Nothing more can be seen of his “mediation” with Orban. On the contrary: the right-winger of the EPP has already announced new attacks on the EU. And the Spitzenkandidat is silent.

Now also the fallout of the copyright reform comes in addition. “Never again CDU” has become a popular slogan since the party pushed the reform through the EU Parliament.

If one adds AKK’s completely unsuccessful EU strategy, which is not only seen as an affront in Paris, there is not much left of Weber – except mockery and ridicule.

He does not have to allow himself to be insulted only as a destroyer of the Internet. One also laughs at the “Franco-German aircraft carrier”, which the CDU praises as a new “vision”.

It could be sunk during the European elections in May – with AKK and Weber drowning, too…

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator