(de-news.net) – At the two-day CDU federal party congress in Stuttgart, Chancellor and party chairman Friedrich Merz has emphasized Europe’s strength, arguing that the continent could only address the major challenges of the era through what he described as a “values-based realism.” Addressing the party delegates, he called for courage and a sense of responsibility, stressing that the CDU’s role was to guide society into the future and foster confidence. He framed the gathering as a chance for discussion and consequential decision-making, noting that Germany faces profound challenges amid global realignments and pressure on Europe. He also underscored the government’s priorities: securing economic strength, protecting the nation, enhancing defense capabilities, maintaining social welfare, fostering innovation, and restoring societal cohesion, with the CDU bearing central responsibility.
Merz portrayed Europe as both powerful and capable, offering an alternative to imperialism and autocracy, while urging that it must learn to speak the language of power through enhanced defense and economic development. Merz also acknowledged tensions in transatlantic relations but affirmed emphasized that maintaining a close alliance with the United States remained a priority for Germany. Merz reportedly argued that the major challenges of the contemporary era could only be addressed at a European level, framing his approach as one of “values-based realism.” He portrayed the continent as both strong and capable, offering an alternative to imperialism and autocracy. At the same time, he emphasized that Europe must learn to articulate power effectively, calling for enhanced defense capabilities and sustained economic development. Merz outlined what he considered necessary measures, highlighting the need for investment in defense without any form of coercion, while also stressing the importance of restoring economic strength across Germany and Europe.
Reflecting on the initial months following the government transition, the CDU’s chairman acknowledged that the administration might not have communicated quickly or clearly enough that the extensive reform efforts could not be achieved overnight and accepted the associated criticism. He however emphasized that bold leadership remained essential, noting the need for somebody to drive initiatives forward. Merz reportedly called for a renewed sense of optimism, observing that the government had enacted a range of significant measures and initiated various reforms. He suggested that, in the current year, these initiatives would need to advance at a faster pace than in the previous period. Emphasizing Germany’s continued strength and capacity, he rejected claims that the CDU had grown disconnected from the public. At the same time, he emphasized that some critics had failed to recognize structural misaligned incentives and the constraints on productivity imposed by bureaucratic systems, asserting that such issues would be addressed collaboratively with the SPD.
Besides economic revitalization, debates on cannabis and the debt brake
The gathering of around one thousand delegates served to define party positions following nine months of the black-red coalition and to set the stage for the upcoming election year. The party’s motion book exceeded 400 pages, with several proposals likely to provoke debate within the coalition, including potential restrictions on telephone-based sick notes, the legalization of cannabis, and limits on further easing of the debt brake. Debates over part-time work were mitigated by the party’s economic wing. The gathering of roughly one thousand delegates was intended both to clarify the party’s positions after nine months of the black-red coalition and to set the stage for the upcoming election year.
In the afternoon, Merz and the party leadership were scheduled for election, with CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann expressing the expectation that the congress would stand firmly behind Merz, particularly in the face of challenging circumstances. The congress’s principal focus, however, was the board elections scheduled for Friday afternoon, with Merz’s re-election as chair attracting particular scrutiny. A result of about 90 percent or higher is expected. Expectations on Merz’s result of re-election as CDU chair varied. Having served as Chancellor for just under ten months, his tenure was marked by a difficult start. The CDU/CSU has trailed its previous Bundestag election results in polls for months, and Merz’s personal approval ratings are seen as expandable. However, Merz previously secured overwhelming support in 2022 and 2024 party votes. What is more, as Chancellery chief Wolfgang Frei explained in a broadly positive assessment of the government’s performance, it is to be noted that, in cooperation with the coalition partner SPD, numerous reform initiatives—such as the activation and parental pensions and measures to reduce energy costs—had either been implemented or set in motion. Frei emphasized that content-related debates were a natural part of democratic governance and underscored that the government was operating in a challenging domestic and international environment.
Board proposals were thus set for debate Friday evening, starting with the party’s federal leadership’s motion on a housing market revival, followed by discussions on youth social media restrictions, a bureaucracy moratorium, and broader social reforms. Additional speeches by parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn and CSU chair Markus Söder are planned for Saturday, with the congress concluding that afternoon. Former CDU chair and Chancellor Angela Merkel attends, as a guest, the first party congress since the end of her time in office as the head of government in 2021.
