The Sauerland doesn’t really fit into the Lower Bavarian marquee. Friedrich Merz first has to angle the two small desk microphones up to his 1.98, and then it rattles so unpleasantly in the loudspeakers when he starts to speak. But at least it’s getting quiet, the rows in dirndls and rain jackets are looking intently at the black suit standing in front. About 2,000 people from the Landshut district want to hear what the man from Berlin has to say to them.

It’s not an easy place for the CDU party leader, nor is it an easy time.

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