Markus Söder & Karin Baumüller
Markus Söder rose to greater public prominence in 2021 when his name was floated as a potential Chancellor candidate for the Union after Angela Merkel announced her retirement. Söder has been a member of the Bavarian State Parliament since 1994 and has steadily worked his way up in the CSU party. He took over as Secretary-General in 2003 and has been Minister-President of the Free State of Bavaria since 2018. His political career is characterized by clear positions and a distinctive leadership style.
Outside of politics, Söder leads a fulfilling private life with his wife, Karin Baumüller, a successful entrepreneur in the Baumüller Group, which specializes in innovative drive and automation technology. Since their wedding in 1999, they have three children together. The family are members of the Evangelical Church in Germany and show their creative and humorous side, especially during Carnival season, with elaborate costumes.
