Merkel's conservative ally in Bavaria also welcomed her decision on Sunday to seek a fourth term. Horst Seehofer, head of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, said the trust of the population is needed for another four years. 

For that, we need a candidate, and from today it is clear who that will be for the Union. We also need a strong programme because the German people are above all interested in what issues and projects we want to take our country into the future with. They go together. Therefore it is good that we have clarity today and that the decision has been made, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us in the coming weeks," Horst Seehofer said.