Merkel urges CDU return to Adenauer-style bridge-building after election setback

Former Chancellor Merkel publicly advises her party to reclaim a centrist, bridge-building identity modeled on Konrad Adenauer, while SPD leadership rejects 'business as usual' and CDU leader Merz downplays personal responsibility for the election result. The intervention signals an intra-party ideological struggle over the CDU's post-election direction, with Merkel's rare public commentary adding weight to the debate.