Armin Laschet, chancellor candidate of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) union, at the press conference at CDU headquarters the day after federal elections, in Berlin, Germany, 27 September 2021. The CDU/CSU came in a close second behind the Social Democrats, according to preliminary results. - EPA pic
Armin Laschet, chancellor candidate of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) union, at the press conference at CDU headquarters the day after federal elections, in Berlin, Germany, 27 September 2021. The CDU/CSU came in a close second behind the Social Democrats, according to preliminary results. - EPA pic

BERLILN: Germany's centre-right CDU needs renewal after putting up its worst election showing since World War II, party chief Armin Laschet said Monday, as he admitted responsibility for the loss to the Social Democratic Party.

The CDU-CSU alliance "cannot be satisfied with this result," said Laschet, adding that "renewal is needed in all areas".

Nevertheless he said he was ready to head a coalition government, saying "no party" -- not even the Social Democrats -- could claim a mandate to govern from Sunday's vote outcome.

He reiterated that the CDU was ready for talks with the Greens and the liberal FDP for a possible partnership.

Asked if he would rule out a new partnership with the SPD, but this time with his CDU as junior partner, he said as "democrats, we're not ruling anything out, but this dialogue is not taking place at the moment."

The conservatives sunk to a historic low of 24.1 percent in Sunday's vote, the first time they have scored below 30 percent, a touch below the SPD's 25.7 percent.

Laschet promised an "intensive overhaul" of the party, as its main asset Angela Merkel prepares to leave power after 16 years as chancellor.

"This overhaul means a clear and no-holds-barred analysis," said Laschet, who is also state premier of Germany's biggest state North Rhine-Westphalia. -- AFP