Markus Söder

Söder was born in Nuremberg and is the son of a building contractor.{{Cite web|last=Jordans|first=Frank|date=2021-02-19|title=Beam me up? Bavarian governor eyes top job after Merkel|url=https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-nuremberg-germany-coronavirus-pandemic-6316d67336a2f441a671d553202e3596|access-date=2021-03-11|website=Associated Press|archive-date=2 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002095455/https://apnews.com/article/angela-merkel-nuremberg-germany-coronavirus-pandemic-6316d67336a2f441a671d553202e3596|url-status=live}} After graduating from the Dürer-Gymnasium Nuremberg in 1986, Söder completed his compulsory year of military service from 1986 to 1987. He then studied law at the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg from 1987, with a scholarship from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. He passed his first state examination in 1991 and was a research assistant at the department of constitutional, administrative and church law at the same university. In 1998, he was awarded a doctorate in law with a dissertation in legal history with the title {{lang|de|Von altdeutschen Rechtstraditionen zu einem modernen Gemeindeedikt. Die Entwicklung der Kommunalgesetzgebung im rechtsrheinischen Bayern zwischen 1802 und 1818}} ({{literal translation |From old German legal traditions to a modern municipal edict: The development of municipal legislation in Bavaria on the right bank of the Rhine between 1802 and 1818}}).{{cite news |title=Worüber Stoiber und Co. promovierten |trans-title=Doctoral Research Topics of Stoiber and Company |date=2011-02-17 |work=Süddeutsche Zeitung |language=de |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/bayern/doktorarbeiten-bayerischer-politiker-worueber-stoiber-und-co-promovierten-1.1061611 |access-date=2024-09-30 |archive-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716174359/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/bayern/doktorarbeiten-bayerischer-politiker-worueber-stoiber-und-co-promovierten-1.1061611 |url-status=live }} He worked as a trainee and then as an editor with Bayerischer Rundfunk, a public-service television and radio network, based in Munich, from 1992 to 1994, when he was elected to the Bavarian Parliament and became a full-time politician.

Söder has been a member of the Landtag, the state parliament of Bavaria, since 1994. From 2003 to 2007 he was secretary general of the CSU party, the sister party in Bavaria of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). In this capacity, he worked closely with then Minister-President and party chairman Edmund Stoiber. During his time in office, he was also part of the CDU/CSU team in the negotiations with the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) on a coalition agreement following the 2005 federal elections,[https://www.abendblatt.de/politik/deutschland/article107047775/Am-Montag-soll-auch-Merkels-Liste-stehen.html Am Montag soll auch Merkels Liste stehen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614100035/https://www.abendblatt.de/politik/deutschland/article107047775/Am-Montag-soll-auch-Merkels-Liste-stehen.html |date=14 June 2018 }} Hamburger Abendblatt, 14 October 2005. which paved the way to the formation of Chancellor Angela Merkel's first cabinet.

Söder has since been member of the Beckstein, Seehofer I and II cabinets. From 2007 to 2008 he was Bavaria's State Minister for Federal and European Affairs, the successor office of Foreign Minister of Bavaria, and from 2008 to 2011 State Minister for Environment and Health. In the negotiations to form a coalition government following the 2009 federal elections, Söder was part of the working group on the environment, agriculture and consumer protection, led by Ilse Aigner and Michael Kauch, and the working group on health, led by Ursula von der Leyen and Philipp Rösler.[https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/koalitionsverhandlungen-wen-union-und-fdp-zum-feilschen-schicken-a-653453.html Koalitionsverhandlungen: Wen Union und FDP zum Feilschen schicken] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002095502/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/koalitionsverhandlungen-wen-union-und-fdp-zum-feilschen-schicken-a-653453.html |date=2 October 2024 }} Spiegel Online, 6 October 2009.

As finance minister in the state government of Minister-President Horst Seehofer, Söder was also one of the state's representatives at the Bundesrat, where he served on the Finance Committee. During his time in office, Söder was put in charge of overseeing the restructuring process of ailing state-backed lender BayernLB in a bid to win approval for an aid package from the European Commission.Christian Kraemer, Arno Schuetze and Foo Yun Chee (28 March 2012), [https://www.reuters.com/article/bayernlb-idUSL6E8ES73I20120328 Owners of BayernLB agree on revamp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804165402/https://www.reuters.com/article/bayernlb-idUSL6E8ES73I20120328 |date=4 August 2019 }} Reuters. In 2014, he pushed BayernLB to sell its Hungarian MKB unit to that country's government, ending an ill-fated investment that had cost it a total of {{Euro|2{{nbsp}}billion}} ($2.7 billion) in losses over 20 years.Jörn Poltz and Krisztina Than (24 July 2014), [https://www.reuters.com/article/bayernlb-hldg-hungary-idUSL6N0PZ3QW20140724 BayernLB sells unit MKB to Hungary] Reuters. In 2015, Söder and his Austrian counterpart Hans Jörg Schelling agreed a provisional deal that settled the two governments’ array of legal disputes stemming from the collapse of the Carinthian regional bank Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International. Under the memorandum of understanding, Austria would pay {{Euro|1.23{{nbsp}}billion}} to Bavaria. All legal cases relating to the dispute would also be dropped.{{cite news |first=James |last=Shotter |date=7 July 2015 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1708fa96-2480-11e5-bd83-71cb60e8f08c.html |url-access=subscription |title=Austria to pay Bavaria €1.23bn to settle Hypo Alpe Adria dispute |work=Financial Times |access-date=2024-10-02 |archive-date=4 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204061918/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1708fa96-2480-11e5-bd83-71cb60e8f08c.html |url-status=live }}

Also in 2012, Söder and Minister-President Horst Seehofer filed a lawsuit in the Federal Constitutional Court, asking the judges to back their call for an overhaul of the German system of financial transfers from wealthier states (such as Bavaria) to the country's weaker economies.Christian Kraemer (17 July 2012), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-bavaria-solidarity-idUSBRE86G0U820120717 Bavaria seeks to trump Merkel with anti-bailout card] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826224737/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-bavaria-solidarity-idUSBRE86G0U820120717 |date=26 August 2022 }} Reuters. On Söder's initiative, Bavaria became the first regional government in Volkswagen's home country to take legal action against the carmaker for damages caused by its emissions-test cheating scandal. At the time, Söder argued that the state's pension fund for civil servants had lost as much as {{Euro|700,000}} ($780,000) as a consequence of the scandal.Joern Poltz and Andreas Cremer (2 August 2016), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-emissions-litigation-idUSKCN10D135 German state of Bavaria to sue VW over emissions scandal] Reuters. When Seehofer came under pressure after the CSU had suffered heavy losses in the 2017 national elections, he decided to remain party chairman but agreed to hand over leadership of Bavaria to Söder.Janosch Delcker (16 December 2017), [https://www.politico.eu/article/horst-seehofer-reelected-leader-of-merkels-bavarian-allies-csu/ Horst Seehofer reelected leader of Merkel’s Bavarian allies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119073132/https://www.politico.eu/article/horst-seehofer-reelected-leader-of-merkels-bavarian-allies-csu/ |date=19 January 2022 }} Politico Europe. This was the result of a long-running "internal strife" between Söder and Seehofer.[https://www.ft.com/content/421ba572-d8e6-11e7-a039-c64b1c09b482/ Bavarian PM Horst Seehofer steps down in CSU power struggle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125121817/https://www.ft.com/content/421ba572-d8e6-11e7-a039-c64b1c09b482 |date=25 November 2022 }}. Retrieved 13 June 2021

{{see also|Cabinet Söder I|Cabinet Söder II}}

In March 2018, lawmakers formally elected Söder as new Minister-President of Bavaria to replace Horst Seehofer, who had become Federal Interior Minister in Chancellor Angela Merkel's new cabinet. He received 99 of the 169 state deputies's votes, with 64 voting against – a better result than Seehofer when he began his final term in 2013.Maxime Schlee (16 March 2018), [https://www.politico.eu/article/markus-soder-becomes-bavarian-state-premier/ Markus Söder becomes Bavarian state premier] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328040955/https://www.politico.eu/article/markus-soder-becomes-bavarian-state-premier/ |date=28 March 2018 }} Politico Europe.

The following Bavarian State Election (October 2018) yielded the worst result for the CSU (top candidate Markus Söder) since 1950 with 37% of votes, a decline of over ten percentage points compared to Seehofer's last result from 2013. As a consequence, Söder had to form a coalition government with the Freie Wähler as minor partner. In January 2019, CSU delegates elected Söder to replace Seehofer as their leader with an 87.4 percent majority at a party conference. He was the sole candidate.Joern Poltz (19 January 2019), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics-csu/leader-of-bavarian-csu-promises-new-start-with-merkels-party-idUSKCN1PD0G2 Leader of Bavarian CSU promises new start with Merkel's party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001507/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics-csu/leader-of-bavarian-csu-promises-new-start-with-merkels-party-idUSKCN1PD0G2 |date=8 November 2020 }} Reuters.

After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, Söder was discussed as a possible candidate to succeed Angela Merkel in the 2021 German federal election.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/what-will-germanys-foreign-policy-be-after-angela-merkel/a-56722717|title=What will Germany's foreign policy be after Angela Merkel?|date=28 February 2021|website=Deutsche Welle|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301130526/https://www.dw.com/en/what-will-germanys-foreign-policy-be-after-angela-merkel/a-56722717|url-status=live}} A May 2020 poll indicated that 53% of Germans favoured him as the CDU/CSU's Chancellor candidate. During the same time, he enjoyed approval ratings of over 90% in Bavaria.{{cite news |first=Guy |last=Chazan |date=13 May 2020 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b5d13b3b-74e3-4624-b69c-a03b8e1365ef |url-access=subscription |title=Coronavirus throws open race to succeed Merkel |work=Financial Times |access-date=2024-10-02 |archive-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702083920/https://www.ft.com/content/b5d13b3b-74e3-4624-b69c-a03b8e1365ef |url-status=live }}

After the election of Armin Laschet as CDU chairman in January 2021, he and Söder considered themselves the major contenders for the Chancellor candidacy. As the contest intensified in March/April 2021, Söder was backed by the CSU as well as some state and local CDU associations, while Laschet received the support of most of the CDU. The two men failed to come to an agreement by the given deadline of 19 April,{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-csu-rivals-unable-to-break-impasse-on-merkels-successor/a-57250977|title=Germany: CDU/CSU rivals unable to break impasse on Merkel's successor|date=19 April 2021|website=Deutsche Welle|access-date=20 April 2021|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419165232/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-csu-rivals-unable-to-break-impasse-on-merkels-successor/a-57250977|url-status=live}} leading the federal CDU board to hold an impromptu meeting to break the deadlock. The board voted 31 to 9 in favour of Laschet.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-party-board-backs-armin-laschet-as-chancellor-candidate/a-57258957|title=Germany: CDU party board backs Armin Laschet as chancellor candidate|date=19 April 2021|website=Deutsche Welle|access-date=20 April 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420012636/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-party-board-backs-armin-laschet-as-chancellor-candidate/a-57258957|url-status=live}} After the vote, Söder announced his support for Laschet as Chancellor candidate.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-markus-s%C3%B6der-backs-armin-laschet-for-chancellor/a-57261550|title=Germany: Markus Söder backs Armin Laschet for chancellor|date=20 April 2021|website=Deutsche Welle|access-date=28 April 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420113235/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-markus-s%C3%B6der-backs-armin-laschet-for-chancellor/a-57261550|url-status=live}}

On 21 June 2021, Söder and Laschet jointly presented the joint election manifesto of the two parties, CSU and CDU. In the programme, it is stated that the fight against pandemics, climate change and the defence of prosperity and freedom are global challenges and that the aim is to create a Germany open to the world, which strives for both modernisation and green policies.{{Cite web|last=mdr.de|title=Wahlprogramm der Union: Steuern, Rente, Reformen – Was CDU/CSU wollen {{!}} MDR.DE|url=https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/politik/union-cdu-csu-wahlprogramm-btw-100.html|access-date=2021-06-22|website=www.mdr.de|language=de|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621173519/https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/politik/union-cdu-csu-wahlprogramm-btw-100.html|url-status=live}}

In September 2021, Söder was reelected as chair of the CSU, winning 87.6 percent of the vote at a party congress in Nuremberg.Laurenz Gehrke (September 10, 2021), [https://www.politico.eu/article/markus-soder-csu-leader-germany-bavaria/ Bavaria’s Söder confirmed as CSU chief, stokes up German election campaign] Politico Europe.

In September 2024, having first expressed his readiness to run as Union's candidate,{{Cite news |date=2024-09-02 |title=Söder zu Kanzlerkandidatur bereit: »Würde mich nicht um Verantwortung drücken« |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/cdu-csu-markus-soeder-zu-kanzlerkandidatur-bereit-a-64f50db6-db5b-4558-beb7-b72707ce5100 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349 |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002095449/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/cdu-csu-markus-soeder-zu-kanzlerkandidatur-bereit-a-64f50db6-db5b-4558-beb7-b72707ce5100 |url-status=live }} Söder announced his support for Friedrich Merz as Union's candidate for Chancellor of Germany for the 2025 federal election, after Hendrik Wüst (CDU) had expressed his support for Friedrich Merz.{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2024 |title="Ich habe ein Versprechen gegeben, dass sich 2021 nicht wiederholen wird" |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kanzlerkandidatur-der-union-friedrich-merz-und-markus-soeder-einigen-sich-auf-den-cdu-chef-a-1a96e850-3297-4cdf-8b8e-0842b9cf0c97 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Der Spiegel |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002095449/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/kanzlerkandidatur-der-union-friedrich-merz-und-markus-soeder-einigen-sich-auf-den-cdu-chef-a-1a96e850-3297-4cdf-8b8e-0842b9cf0c97 |url-status=live }}

Söder was a CSU delegate to the Federal Convention for the purpose of electing the President of Germany in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2017{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} and 2022.{{Cite web |title=Liste der Mitglieder der 17. Bundesversammlung |url=https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/878348/85b001ab2a463b6a4cc2de22631e3bcc/mitglieder_bv_2022-data.pdf |access-date=13 March 2022 |website=Deutscher Bundestag |archive-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310145610/https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/878348/85b001ab2a463b6a4cc2de22631e3bcc/mitglieder_bv_2022-data.pdf |url-status=live }}

In the negotiations to form a coalition government of the Christian Democrats (CDU together with the Bavarian CSU) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) following the 2009 federal elections, Söder was part of the CDU/CSU delegation in the working group on health policy, led by Ursula von der Leyen and Philipp Rösler.

In the negotiations to form a Grand Coalition of the CDU/CSU and the SPD following the 2013 federal elections, Söder was part of the CDU/CSU delegation in the working groups on financial policy and the national budget, led by Wolfgang Schäuble and Olaf Scholz, and on bank regulation and the Eurozone, led by Herbert Reul and Martin Schulz.Matthias Sobolewski (30 October 2013), [https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-switzerland-tax-idUSL5N0IK45U20131030 German-Swiss tax deal could be revived, conservatives say] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317041117/https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-switzerland-tax-idUSL5N0IK45U20131030 |date=17 March 2018 }} Reuters.

• Munich Airport, ex officio chairman of the supervisory board
• Nuremberg Airport, ex officio member of the supervisory board, chairman of the supervisory board (since 2017)[http://www.airport-nuernberg.de/de/2017/p-presseinformation-nr-07-2017-p-17bec52d7e8198fe Söder neuer Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender des Flughafens Nürnberg] Nuremberg Airport, press release of 31 March 2017.
• KfW, ex officio member of the board of supervisory directors (2011–2016)[https://www.kfw.de/Download-Center/Finanzpublikationen/PDF-Dokumente-Berichte-etc./1_Gesch%C3%A4ftsberichte/Neu_Geschaeftsbericht_2011.pdf 2011 Annual Report]{{Dead link|date=October 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} KfW.{{full citation needed |date=January 2025}}{{failed verification |date=January 2025}}
• BayernLB, ex officio chairman of the supervisory board (2011–2012)
• ZDF, ex officio member of the Television Board (2002–2008, 2013–2016)

• Bavarian Research Foundation, ex officio member of the board of trustees
• Deutsches Museum, member of the board of trustees[http://www.deutsches-museum.de/wir-ueber-uns/kuratorium/ Board of Trustees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818003314/http://www.deutsches-museum.de/wir-ueber-uns/kuratorium/ |date=18 August 2017 }} Deutsches Museum.
• University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), member of the board of trustees
• Staatstheater Nürnberg, member of the board of trustees
• Ifo Institute for Economic Research, member of the board of trustees
• 1. FC Nürnberg, member of the supervisory board (2007–2011), member of the advisory board (since 2011)
• Munich International Film Festival, ex officio member of the supervisory board (2011–2014)

File:Markus Söder (2003).jpg

During the Greek government-debt crisis, Söder was among the most vocal in calling for Greece to leave the Eurozone.Michelle Martin (29 July 2015), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eurozone-bonds-germany-idUSKCN0Q30JW20150729 Merkel's Bavarian ally says Grexit would cause 'utter chaos'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317041124/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eurozone-bonds-germany-idUSKCN0Q30JW20150729 |date=17 March 2018 }} Reuters. By 2012, he said in an interview: "Athens must stand as an example that this Eurozone can also show teeth."{{cite news |first=James |last=Angelos |date=7 December 2012 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323316804578165321866793886 |url-access=subscription |title=Greece's Samaras Aims to Win Over Bavarians |work=Wall Street Journal |access-date=2024-10-02}} In early 2018, Söder reiterated his opposition against any expansion of the eurozone to include countries like Bulgaria and Romania, the introduction of Eurobonds, and the creation of a European finance minister post.Andrea Shalal (14 February 2018), [https://www.reuters.com/article/eurozone-bavaria/bavaria-fin-minister-rejects-eurozone-expansion-to-romania-bulgaria-idUSB4N1JZ01C Bavaria Fin Minister rejects eurozone expansion to Romania, Bulgaria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221161807/https://www.reuters.com/article/eurozone-bavaria/bavaria-fin-minister-rejects-eurozone-expansion-to-romania-bulgaria-idUSB4N1JZ01C |date=21 February 2018 }} Reuters.

In 2012, under Söder's leadership, Bavaria pledged €500,000 ($687,546) in public funding for the Munich-based Institute for Contemporary History (IfZ) to produce a critical, annotated version of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf for publication in 2015 when the copyright expired. Söder said at the time that the publication would aim to "demystify" Hitler's manifesto. By 2013, however, the Bavarian state government ended its funding for the project.{{cite news |first=Harriet |last=Torry |date=12 December 2013 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304202204579254234018062924 |url-access=subscription |title=Bavaria Ends Funding for Scholarly Edition of 'Mein Kampf' |work=Wall Street Journal |access-date=2024-10-02 |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002095450/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304202204579254234018062924 |url-status=live }}

In 2018, Söder's government enacted the Kreuzpflicht, an obligation to display crosses at the entrance of public buildings. Söder has stated that the crosses are not to be seen as Christian symbols, but as symbols of Bavarian cultural identity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/25/bavarian-leader-orders-christian-crosses-on-all-state-buildings|title=Bavarian leader orders Christian crosses on all state buildings|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=25 April 2018|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=2 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002095456/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/25/bavarian-leader-orders-christian-crosses-on-all-state-buildings|url-status=live}} During his campaign for the 2018 state elections, Söder appealed to traditionalists while also seeking to enhance Bavaria's high-tech "laptops and Lederhosen" reputation with a promise of a new space programme for the state and more high-speed internet access.{{cite news |first=Guy |last=Chazan |date=14 September 2018 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3f8d3a6e-b10d-11e8-99ca-68cf89602132 |url-access=subscription |title=Merkel's ally tested on refugee crisis and far right in Bavaria |work=Financial Times |access-date=2024-10-02 |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919132151/https://www.ft.com/content/3f8d3a6e-b10d-11e8-99ca-68cf89602132 |url-status=live }}

Throughout the European migrant crisis, Söder sharply criticised the migrant policies of Angela Merkel several times. He warned of a "huge security gap"{{Full citation needed |date=September 2024}} that remained because the whereabouts of hundreds of thousands of migrants was still unclear and he strongly doubted that the integration of so many people could succeed. In Söder's view, the Germans did not want a multicultural society. Refugees should return to their home countries whenever possible. The dictum {{lang|de|Wir schaffen das}} ({{literal translation |We can do it}}) of Chancellor Merkel was "not the right signal", instead he suggested {{lang|de|Wir haben verstanden}} ({{literal translation |We have understood}}).[https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article157875515/Fluechtlinge-sind-riesige-Sicherheitsluecke-in-Deutschland.html Flüchtlinge sind "riesige Sicherheitslücke in Deutschland"], Die Welt, 26 August 2016, in German

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, Söder was the first Minister-President to announce a lockdown within his federal state.{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus in Bayern: Erster Münchner tot – Verstöße gegen Ausgangsbeschränkung in der Nacht|url=https://www.merkur.de/bayern/coronavirus-soeder-bayern-muenchen-ausgangsbeschraenkung-kontaktverbot-tote-faelle-infizierte-augsburg-news-zr-13608971.html|access-date=2021-12-03|website=www.merkur.de|date=25 March 2020|language=de|archive-date=2 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002095455/https://www.merkur.de/bayern/coronavirus-soeder-bayern-muenchen-ausgangsbeschraenkung-kontaktverbot-tote-faelle-infizierte-augsburg-news-zr-13608971.html|url-status=live}} His management raised his popularity and made him a contender for the chancellorship in 2021. During autumn and winter 2021, low vaccination rates in Bavaria generated controversy, with Söder being in favour of mandatory vaccinations.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-15|title="Unterirdisch": Kritik an Söders Attacke auf die Impfkommission|url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/unterirdisch-kritik-an-soeders-attacke-auf-die-impfkommission,SdEhT10|access-date=2021-12-03|website=BR24|language=de}}{{Cite web|title=Mit Rückendeckung aus der CSU: Söder fordert allgemeine Impfpflicht – Kritik an Spahn|url=https://www.rnd.de/politik/markus-soeder-fordert-allgemeine-impfpflicht-kritik-an-jens-spahn-4ADZZK7R75E4VEYZE43CJ3LGEY.html|access-date=2021-12-03|website=www.rnd.de|date=22 November 2021|language=de-DE|archive-date=2 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002095444/https://www.rnd.de/politik/markus-soeder-fordert-allgemeine-impfpflicht-kritik-an-jens-spahn-4ADZZK7R75E4VEYZE43CJ3LGEY.html|url-status=live}}

In a July 2020 interview with Ulrich Wickert, Söder supported same-sex marriage in Germany.[https://art19.com/shows/wickert-trifft/episodes/07d03985-3bb6-475e-8cea-59905e5a2daa Ulrich Wickert Podcast: Wickert trifft Markus Söder] (german), July 2020[https://www.gala.de/stars/news/ulrich-wickert--in-seinem-neuen-podcast-trifft-er-markus-soeder-22285478.html Gala.de: Die Liebe ist per se se segnenswert (german)], July 2020{{full citation needed |date=January 2025}}

In his capacity as Minister-President, Söder has made several foreign trips, including for meetings with President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia (2019),[https://www.welt.de/regionales/bayern/article192070493/Soeder-trifft-sich-mit-aethiopischer-Staatspraesidentin.html Söder trifft sich mit äthiopischer Staatspräsidentin] Die Welt, 17 April 2019.{{full citation needed |date=January 2025}} as well as President Vladimir Putin of Russia (2020).[http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62693 Meeting with Minister President of Bavaria Markus Soeder] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201152449/http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62693 |date=1 February 2020 }} Kremlin, press release of 29 January 2020.Ralf Schuler (30 January 2020), [https://www.bild.de/regional/muenchen/muenchen-aktuell/ein-bayern-im-kreml-so-lief-soeders-treffen-mit-putin-67646670.bild.html Ein Bayer im Kreml: So lief Söders Treffen mit Putin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201090128/https://www.bild.de/regional/muenchen/muenchen-aktuell/ein-bayern-im-kreml-so-lief-soeders-treffen-mit-putin-67646670.bild.html |date=1 February 2020 }} BILD.

File:2018 Fastnacht in Franken - Markus Soeder - by 2eight - 8SC3241.jpg; Söder is dressed as Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria and wearing the uniform of a General of the Kingdom of Bavaria.]]

Söder has been married to Karin Baumüller since 1999; Baumüller is one of the owners of Nuremberg-based {{ill|Baumüller Group|de| Baumüller (Unternehmen) |lt=Baumüller Group,|v=sup}} a manufacturer of electric automation and drive systems.Claudia Urbasek (23 January 2016), [http://www.nordbayern.de/region/nuernberg/profitiert-soders-familie-von-der-fluchtlingskrise-1.4936539 Profitiert Söders Familie von der Flüchtlingskrise?] Nürnberger Zeitung. The couple have three children. In addition, Söder has a daughter from an earlier relationship.Franz Solms-Laubach (24 May 2007), [https://www.welt.de/politik/article893116/Markus-Soeder-und-seine-uneheliche-Tochter.html Markus Söder und seine uneheliche Tochter] Die Welt.

Söder is a member of the Protestant Church in Germany and has described himself as "a believer".{{cite news |first=Frederick |last=Studemann |date=12 June 2018 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f0ce91e0-6e20-11e8-852d-d8b934ff5ffa |url-access=subscription |title=Bavaria crosses a line to fend off the far-right |work=Financial Times |access-date=2024-10-02 |archive-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613133929/https://www.ft.com/content/f0ce91e0-6e20-11e8-852d-d8b934ff5ffa |url-status=live }} He is also known for his extravagant costumes during the carnival season which have included Shrek and Marilyn Monroe.

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• [https://www.bayern.landtag.de/abgeordnete/abgeordnete-von-a-z/profil/markus-soeder/ Markus Söder] at the Landtag of Bavaria

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{{Ministers-President of Bavaria}}

{{Current Germany states Minister Presidents}}

{{Christian Social Union in Bavaria}}

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Category:1967 births

Category:Living people

Category:Christian Social Union in Bavaria politicians

Category:Leaders of political parties in Germany

Category:Members of the Landtag of Bavaria

Category:Ministers of the Bavaria State Government

Category:Minister-presidents of Bavaria

Category:Politicians from Nuremberg

Category:German Lutherans

Category:German Army personnel

Category:University of Erlangen-Nuremberg alumni