Photo: Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Born in Germany · Nationality German — Politics / institutions
Documented profile covering 12 controversies, including “2007 remarks concerning possible pardon of RAF terrorist Christian Klar” and “'Kreuzerlass': mandatory crosses at entrances to Bavarian government buildings”.
Profile No. 0870 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
2026
Following weak local election results and growing tensions, CSU officials and activists criticised Söder's highly centralised leadership style. Manfred Weber and other senior figures pressed for greater participation and renewal.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2024
Bavaria banned forms of gender-inclusive language using asterisks, colons or other symbols in administration, schools and universities. The measure was criticised by teachers, academics and associations.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2021-2023
Protagonist not prosecuted — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.
The Bavarian Landtag investigated mask procurement contracts and the activities of lobbyists and elected representatives during the pandemic. Söder was heard as a witness concerning government decision-making processes.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2022-2023
Soaring costs and delays on Munich's second main S-Bahn line triggered a parliamentary inquiry. Söder testified in 2023, and his government was criticised for its management of the project and belated communication of overruns.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2023
Following the shutdown of Germany's last nuclear power stations, Söder proposed that Bavaria should be allowed to continue operating Isar 2 under Land responsibility if federal law permitted it. The proposal was criticised for its feasibility and contrast with his anti-nuclear positions following Fukushima.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2023-09
Following revelations about an antisemitic leaflet dating from Hubert Aiwanger's youth, Söder put a series of questions to him and then decided to retain him as Deputy Minister-President. The decision was strongly criticised.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2020; jugement 2022
A particularly strict Bavarian restriction on leaving home during the first wave of COVID-19 was challenged in court. The Federal Administrative Court ultimately confirmed that part of the regulation was disproportionate in relation to fundamental freedoms.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2021-04
Söder maintained his bid to become the chancellor candidate against Armin Laschet despite several votes by CDU bodies in Laschet's favour. The conflict publicly divided the Union, while polls showed Söder to be considerably more popular.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2018
Söder's Bavarian government required a cross to be displayed at the entrance to Land administration buildings. Religious and political figures accused Söder of exploiting a Christian symbol for identity-based and electoral purposes.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2018
The expansion of Bavarian police preventive powers triggered a massive mobilisation in Munich and strong criticism from lawyers and civil liberties organisations.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2018
Söder used the term 'Asyltourismus' in the immigration debate, an expression widely criticised as stigmatising and borrowing from right-wing populist vocabulary.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
2007
Then CSU Secretary-General, Söder publicly took a position before the Federal President's decision on a possible pardon for Christian Klar. His attacks attracted criticism even within his own party, with some considering that he was exerting pressure over a sensitive presidential prerogative.
Last verified: 3 September 2026
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