Overview
- At a CSU retreat, Markus Söder argued Germany’s federal structure is too fragmented and said larger units perform better, linking his view to Bavaria’s heavy role in fiscal transfers.
- Söder named no merger pairings, while CSU general secretary Martin Huber told Markus Lanz the functionality of federalism has reached its limits and raised questions about the viability of smaller city-states such as Bremen.
- Huber noted Bavaria covers a large share of the Länderfinanzausgleich and suggested Berlin relies significantly on Bavarian funds, characterizing mergers as an option worth considering.
- CDU premiers Reiner Haseloff and Daniel Günther rejected the push, with Haseloff mocking the plan and Günther saying the federal system has proven itself and needs process improvements rather than structural overhauls.
- Commentary recalled the failed 1996 Berlin–Brandenburg merger referendum as a cautionary precedent, while Green co-chair Franziska Brantner urged focusing on clearer responsibilities, task bundling and digitalization instead of pursuing state fusions.