German CDU/CSU leadership convenes emergency talks amid shifting coalition rhetoric

The CDU/CSU parliamentary leadership is conducting emergency talks with Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder to address internal friction regarding future coalition strategy, specifically concerning the 'firewall' against the AfD. This follows Michael Kretschmer's public questioning of the firewall's viability and Markus Söder's push for a unified leadership selection process after Jens Spahn's resignation. The viability of a unified proposal and the impact on coalition formation remain uncertain.