German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is facing a curious situation with support and opposition diverging from expected lines. While Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, known for his critical stance, is surprisingly defending Scholz, the CDU in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is notably holding back. This lack of support from the NRW-CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, is particularly striking. The article suggests a complex dynamic within German politics, implying Merz isn’t leveraging the situation to build his own power base. Söder’s support for the Chancellor is described as passionate and unexpected, adding another layer of intrigue. The situation highlights potential tensions within the CDU and a shifting landscape of political alliances as Scholz navigates challenges. This raises questions about the motivations behind these actions and the future stability of the governing coalition.