The CDU, which makes up half of Germany’s ruling coalition government, is awaiting the result of the Tory leadership election as the UK and EU prepare to solve the Brexit deadlock. But the party’s foreign policy minister, Jurgen Hardt, has backed Mr Johnson as the UK’s new leader – and believes he is the right man to solve the deadlock in Westminster. Mr Hardt told Radio FFN said he believed Mr Johnson has the capabilities to lead but the German politician went on to criticise Mr Johnson’s leadership of the campaign against the European Union.
He added: “What happens then (…), is, I think, a different matter.
“I believe Boris Johnson, who is highly intelligent, is capable of a lot, maybe he even has a positive surprise or two in store.”
The comments come despite the CDU party, which recently appointed its news leader Angela Kramp Karrenbauer as a successor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, has stood firm against a no deal Brexit in recent months.
Mr Johnson has promised the UK will leave the bloc by the new deadline date of October 31 – even if it means Britian walks away without a deal.
His “do or die” approach has been criticised by many politicians, including three ex-Prime Ministers – Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and John Major.
But some Tory supporters and MPs believe the former foreign secretary’s “do oir die” approach to Brexit make him the right man to make sure Brexit is completed.
The result of the Tory leadership race, which has seen Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson pitted against each other through six weeks of inter-party hustings, is expected to be delivered at around 11.45am in London.
Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg.