Friedrich Merz has been re-elected as leader of the CDU with 91.17% of the vote (878 of 963 delegates), slightly improving on his 2024 result of 89.8%.

Axar.az, citing Tagesspiegel, reports that there were 85 no votes and 14 abstentions, which the CDU does not count in the official percentage, giving a total including abstentions of 89.87%. This makes it Merz’s second-best result as party leader after 2022, when he received around 95% in total votes via online and mail-in ballots.

Merz emphasized party unity, calling for cohesion in the CDU-SPD coalition and acknowledging delays in implementing reforms. He ruled out collaboration with the far-right AfD and stressed the CDU’s responsibility to defend Germany’s political center.

On foreign policy, he reaffirmed Germany’s transatlantic partnerships and highlighted national strength in a changing global order. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel attended and received applause during the congress, marking her first presence at a CDU event since leaving office in 2021.