tagesschau 20:00 Uhr, 17.09.2024

Summary

The German political landscape is set for change as Friedrich Merz is confirmed as the CDU and CSU's candidate for the 2025 Bundestag election, with Markus Söder stepping aside. The decision aims to avoid internal strife and focus on replacing the current coalition. Meanwhile, in international news, Lebanon faces chaos with hundreds of 'pagers' exploding, primarily affecting Hezbollah members. The EU Commission proposes a new team with a focus on defense and competitiveness, while Intel's plans for a chip factory in Magdeburg are postponed due to financial constraints, impacting Germany's goal of reducing dependency on Asian chip manufacturers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Friedrich Merz is confirmed as the CDU and CSU's candidate for the 2025 Bundestag election, with Markus Söder of CSU not running.
• 🏛️ NRW Minister President Wüst has publicly supported Merz, contributing to the decision-making process within the party.
• 🗓️ The formal decision for the chancellor candidacy will be made by the party committees of CDU and CSU early next week.
• 🤝 Both CDU and CSU leaders emphasized unity, aiming to avoid the internal strife seen in the 2021 election campaign.
• 🏆 The goal is to replace the current traffic light coalition at the federal level, highlighting the parties' strategic focus.
• 🌍 Chancellor Scholz responded to the Union's decision during a visit to Kazakhstan, acknowledging Merz as the opponent.
• 💥 In Lebanon, nearly simultaneous explosions of 'pagers' killed at least nine and injured over 2700, mostly members of Hezbollah.
• 🚑 The United Nations warns of a potential escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the latter accusing Israel of being behind the coordinated explosions.
• 🌎 The European Commission President von der Leyen presents a new team with a focus on defense and competitiveness, but fails to achieve gender parity.
• 🏭 Intel's planned chip production facility in Magdeburg, valued at 30 billion euros, is postponed due to liquidity issues, affecting Germany's goal of reducing dependency on Asian chip manufacturers.

Q & A

Who has been decided to be the candidate for the Bundestag election 2025 for CDU and CSU?

Friedrich Merz has been decided to be the candidate for the Bundestag election 2025 for CDU and CSU.

Why did CSU leader Markus Söder decide not to run for the chancellorship?

Markus Söder decided not to run for the chancellorship because he acknowledged that the CDU, being the larger party, has the first right to the candidacy, and he expressed his full support for Friedrich Merz.

What was the stance of the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia on the candidacy for the chancellorship?

The Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, had expressed his support for Friedrich Merz as the candidate.

What is the goal of CDU and CSU in the upcoming Bundestag election?

The goal of CDU and CSU in the upcoming Bundestag election is to replace the current traffic light coalition at the federal level.

How did Chancellor Scholz react to the decision of the Union regarding the chancellor candidate?

Chancellor Scholz expressed that it is alright with him if Friedrich Merz is the chancellor candidate for the Union.

What is the current position of the Union in the polls before the Bundestag election?

The Union is currently leading in the polls nationwide, with the CDU being the top party.

What challenges does the CDU face despite leading in the polls?

Despite leading in the polls, the CDU faces challenges such as the upcoming Brandenburg election which does not promise a CDU victory, and potential difficulties in government formation in Thuringia and Saxony.

What is the current situation regarding the floods in Saxony and Bavaria?

The situation in Saxony remains critical, with the highest alert level 4 in effect. In Bavaria, the situation is easing as the rain has stopped, but the peak is expected later in the week.

What is the situation regarding the floods in Austria and Poland?

In Austria, over 20 dams have broken, and in Poland, the army is assisting in rescue efforts. The floods have caused significant damage, and the Polish Prime Minister estimates that over 1 billion Euros are needed for flood aid.

What is the status of the Intel chip production project in Magdeburg?

Intel has announced that the chip production facility in Magdeburg will not be built in the next two years due to liquidity reasons, despite the significant investment planned.

How does the postponement of the Intel project in Magdeburg affect Germany's goal of reducing dependency on chip manufacturers from Asia and the USA?

The postponement of the Intel project in Magdeburg affects Germany's goal of reducing dependency on chip manufacturers from Asia and the USA, as the project was intended to make Germany and Europe more independent in chip production.