Munich (dpa) – After the appointment of Markus Blume as the new Bavarian Minister of Science, the CSU board of directors will elect Stephan Mayer, member of the Bundestag, as Secretary General. Party leader Markus Söder proposed Mayer, who comes from Altötting in Lower Bavaria, as Blume’s successor on Wednesday, and the election this Friday is considered a mere formality. Because of the pandemic, the meeting (10 a.m.) will take place as a video link.

Mayer was State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of the Interior under Horst Seehofer. A few months ago he was elected Vice-President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), but was unable to take office because his retirement from the federal government was not long enough ago.

In addition to his experience from 20 years in the Bundestag, Söder appreciates Mayer’s skill in dealing with the media and his appearances on talk shows. Alongside the party leader, he is to be the face of the party, which wants to win as many votes as possible in the fall of next year.

The fact that Franconian Söder has brought a former confidant of his predecessor and rival Horst Seehofer to his side in Upper Bavaria Mayer – and thus also put part of his own political fate in his hands. Mayer must prepare and carry out the election campaign for 2023 systematically and systematically. However, Mayer and Söder have known each other very well since their time together in the Junge Union (JU).

The unmarried fully qualified lawyer Mayer has a classic CSU party career behind him – from the JU to the highest offices. In addition to his commitment to top-class sport, as Vice President of the Association of Expellees, he also campaigned for the interests of expellees.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:220224-99-273020/3