In 2002 , Stoiber politically outmaneuvered CDU chairwoman , Angela Merkel , and was elected the CDU\/CSU 's candidate for the office of chancellor , challenging Gerhard Schröder .
In 2002 , Stoiber removed the leader of the CDU , Angela Merkel , and was made the joint CDU\/CSU 's candidate for the office of chancellor , with Gerhard Schröder ( SPD ) as opponent .