According to the publication, during the first meeting of the faction, Merz received support from 98% of the votes. He was voted for by 201 deputies out of 205.
FAZ noted that from 2000 to 2002, Merz previously led the conservative faction. In 2009, he resigned from the Bundestag to pursue a career in business, returning to parliament only in 2021. In January 2022, he was elected head of the CDU, receiving 89.5% of the votes. Seven months later, when he received confirmation of his position as stipulated by the charter, he was supported by 87% of the deputies.