German CDU confirms Friedrich Merz as party head

BERLIN - Friedrich Merz was officially confirmed as the new chairman of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) with 95.33 percent of the votes, the party announced on Monday.

"We are taking over the CDU at a difficult time," said the 66-year-old politician, adding that "we know about our civic responsibility for this country."

Merz had already been elected chairman of the CDU with an overwhelming majority of 94.62 percent by the party's delegates during a digital party conference on Jan 22.

For legal reasons, the result had to be confirmed by a postal vote, according to the CDU, which newly elected its entire management team after the election defeat last year.

In December, Merz won the member vote on the chairmanship of the CDU with 62.1 percent of the votes.