Markus Söder used the CSU party congress in Munich to send a pointed warning in the direction of the Free Voters, the partner his government relies on in Bavaria. The CSU leader told delegates that 'the left is always the wrong way', framing his party as the clear counterweight to the left in German politics. The barb fits a pattern, since relations between the CSU and Hubert Aiwanger's Free Voters have cooled at several points in recent years. The congress came as the parties position themselves ahead of upcoming political tests inside the state. Away from Bavaria, the CDU made itself clear on the other live topic of the day, insisting it has the right to name its own candidate in the election for German president. That stance sets up potential friction over who the centre-right will send into the race for the presidency. A liveblog attached to the coverage gathered every development from the Munich gathering as it unfolded.