**Commentary** - As of January 2021, Armin Laschet is the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union, the same party ex-chancellor Angela Merkel led until 2018. - The CDU is the [second largest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany#Post-Merkel_(2018%E2%80%93present) party in the Bundestag, or Parliament of Germany. - They are a [centre-right party](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christian-Democratic-Union-political-party-Germany) that encompass a range of political stances. - They won 18.9% of votes in the September 2021 [general election](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2021/sep/26/german-election-results-exit-poll-and-possible-coalitions), but with their Barvarian sister party the CSU gained a combined 24.1% of seats. - This was their [worst result ever](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/28/pressure-rises-on-cdu-csu-after-worst-election-result-since-wwii.html). - The centre-left party Social Democratic Party came first with 25.7% of the votes. - Following these results, the two main rivals to succeed Merkel as Germany's next chancellor are the SPD's Olaf Scholz and CDU leader Armin Laschet. **Olaf Scholtz** - Olaf Scholtz has had a succession of senior posts in German politics. - He is currently German finance minister and Chancellor Merkel's deputy. - He previously served as an MP from 1998 to 2011. - Prior to that, he entered politics as a Socialist Youth leader, having studied labour law. - Whilst Laschet and the CDU's popularity fell during the leadership campaign, Scholtz and the SDP experienced the opposite and gained [huge popularity](https://www.politico.eu/europe-poll-of-polls/germany/). - One of the reasons for this is his successful overseeing of the [emergency funding package](https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Web/EN/Issues/Public-Finances/stimulus-package-for-everyone/stimulus-package-for-everyone.html) imposed as a result of the pandemic. He is generally seen to have performed well throughout the pandemic. - Whilst he is a member of a left-wing party, in SPD ranks he is seen as a [conservative](https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/scholz-a-conservative-social-democrat-and-unexpected-frontrunner-in-germany/). - He is currently in a strong position as the SDP are in pole position to lead the next government. - However, unlike the CDU, the SDP are in a [weaker position](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56821462) to form a coalition. **Armin Laschet** - Armin Laschet was the premier of Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. - He has strong international ties coming from a town bordering France, as well as forging rapport with the large Turkish community of Germany and being passionately [pro-EU](https://www.politico.eu/article/armin-laschet-calls-german-far-left-party-extreme-threat-for-eu/). - He too is a trained lawyer, and as the son of a miner has consistently [defended the coal industry](https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/01/19/germanys-conservative-cdu-picks-coal-industry-supporter-armin-laschet-leader/). - However, his decision not to support the notion to end coal usage by [2038](https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-debate-about-coal-end-date-2038-heats-election-campaign) was not popular with environmental activists. - He only narrowly secured the nomination to be the candidate for chancellor, defeating his Bavarian rival, Markus Söder, after the party leadership rallied behind him. - However, following this, he may have the support of both the CDU and CSU. - On the other hand, some party members blame him for the CDU/CSU's worst result in history. - Support for both parties fell due to the pandemic, where Laschet himself was accused of inconsistencies and [poor management](https://www.ft.com/content/bc5a3b02-a90d-4206-a441-1bada29feba2) of Covid-19. - His reputation was further damaged when Laschet was [videoed laughing](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/laughing-flood-town-was-stupid-says-germanys-laschet-gaffe-hits-ratings-2021-07-25/) as the president of Germany made a speech in a town which had been largely destroyed by catastrophic flooding.