Merz and Evers after losses Reforms and coalition talks

Date unknown

ZDF carries the audible CDU press conference with Friedrich Merz and Stefan Evers after the Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern elections. Merz says Daniel Peters remains in Schwerin dealing with the consequences of CDU failing to enter the state parliament; he attributes that defeat partly to competition between SPD and AfD. He accepts a federal and personal role in the results, says no one raised replacing him, and reports unanimous CDU-board support for continuing the coalition and reforms. He announces a review of the party's structure, programme and profile, closer work with state premiers and more attention to people's fears and perceived unfairness. Evers offers Berlin coalition talks with SPD and Greens, while acknowledging CDU's result fell short and arguing for empathy, practical solutions and responsibility in the political centre. The partners' choice remains open. Asked about Germany's international image, Merz condemns antisemitism, particularly in Berlin, calls for clear positions from SPD and Greens and pledges protection of Jewish life; his characterizations of political tendencies remain attributed. On housing, Evers rejects large-landlord socialization as economically harmful while acknowledging the referendum's concerns. Merz says initial expropriation-ban drafts have been coordinated between the justice and interior ministries and promises to advance legislation, without reporting enactment. In the final answer he disputes that retirement-age reform dominated campaign conversations and instead describes unequal medical access. He says equivalent effects of statutory-insurance decisions must also reach private insurance, as previously agreed but not yet implemented. He reports Laumann's concern about fairness in parallel health and care systems, acknowledges good reasons for both and promises discussions over changes, without announcing abolition. The initial broadcast audio gap is excluded; missing opening words are not reconstructed.

AUF1 reports that Die Linke wants to advance expropriation of major housing companies after its Berlin election victory, with Vonovia among those potentially affected. Its graphic lists BlackRock at eight percent, JPMorgan Chase at four percent, Goldman Sachs at 3.45 percent and Vanguard at an estimated 3.1 percent of Vonovia. The report raises, but does not substantiate, a possible link between those investors' interests and negative coverage of Koçak. It describes a party objective before exploratory government talks, not an agreed coalition policy, enacted expropriation or completed transfer of property. Weltwoche's September 22 commentary also describes Die Linke's programme as seeking expropriation of large housing companies. Köppel treats it as consistent with the party's left-wing orientation; he reports no adoption or implementation of an expropriation measure. ZDF's September 21 package adds Schwerdtner's direct case for public housing as an answer to high rents and investor interests, with the narrator reporting SPD opposition and Banaszak offering discussion of affordability. In the conference, Evers opposes mass socialization as harmful to jobs, construction and rents while acknowledging the referendum's housing concerns. Merz questions affordability and promises progress on a separate federal prohibition. These opposing positions remain attributed; no enacted socialization or coalition agreement is established. The initiative's exact starting date remains unknown.