Visit at Stoiber's House: How He Celebrates Christmas

Edmund Stoiber, the former Bavarian Minister-President, has defended Friedrich Merz against media criticism. The 84-year-old described the attacks as petty and misplaced, pointing to Merz’s role in securing €90 billion in EU aid for Ukraine. Stoiber, who remains influential in German politics, also shared personal reflections on his long career and family life with wife Karin, 82, after 57 years of marriage.

Stoiber led Bavaria from 1993 to 2007, enforcing strict budget discipline that later shaped Markus Söder’s financial policies. Before Söder maintained Bavaria’s tough fiscal stance, Stoiber personally advised him. His political legacy includes the famous 'Wolfratshausen Breakfast' in 2002, where Angela Merkel stepped aside to let him run for chancellor at the Stoibers’ home.

Beyond politics, Stoiber and his wife Karin have kept a low-key lifestyle. Their Christmas dinners were famously simple, featuring Vienna sausages and potato salad. Karin, often described as a supportive partner, influenced her husband on social policy and practical decisions. Stoiber, once a heavy smoker, eventually quit the habit. His long-standing relationship with Merz dates back years, and he has openly backed the chancellor’s political return. Stoiber now argues that Merz has grown into a decisive leader, contrasting media scepticism with the EU’s past disunity and fading influence.

Stoiber’s defence of Merz highlights his ongoing political engagement, even after leaving office. His career remains closely tied to Bavaria’s financial policies and his family’s modest traditions. The couple’s enduring partnership and his sharp political observations continue to draw attention.