CDU is center right by normal terms, so no, Merz as an individual is likely not more progressive than Biden or Harris. But because the existing systems that Biden, Harris, and Merz occupy are radically different, the ultimate effect of their politics isn’t decided exclusively by some meter of how progressive they are. Anti-immigration vis-a-vis Germany is very different to anti-immigration vis-a-vis the US, for example. (edit: bad example)
What I mean to say is that a conservative led government in Europe, such as Germany under Merz, will still be much, much more progressive than a progressive led government in the US (i.e. hypothetically Harris with dems controlling the house and senate). This is because progressive issues like gun control and healthcare are unrealistic dreams even for Dems in the US, while they are established policy in Germany, that even Merz will not change.
So while you are right that Harris and Biden are, as individuals, more progressive than Merz, I think that in the grand scheme of things this does not show itself in the governments that they would run. This is also often what is meant with “Europe’s Right is America’s Left.”
Edit: Merz, not März; thanks for the correction.
Ah you may be right vis-a-vis immigration. Germany is not the most inviting place…
And I knew I shouldn’t have trusted my autocorrect on März! Goddamn you Google keyboard shakes fist at sky