After the NRW election: the new self-confidence of the CDU

The victory in NRW also helps CDU party leader Merz. In return, he gets another strong prime minister who could still be dangerous for him in the future.

In the Adenauer House they first have to learn how to party again. It remains quiet on this election night. A double success for the CDU – after Schleswig-Holstein now also North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also balm for the federal CDU. However, a victory in Düsseldorf was also expected. Hendrik Wüst fulfilled them and thus also won a bit for Friedrich Merz.

Merz stayed at home in Hochsauerland. He first explained that as a principle. He is not in the Adenauer House, not with the defeats and also not with the successes. Humility and modesty is good for the CDU after years of personal quarrels. You know that trust is easily lost, but hard to regain.

In Lower Saxony it should be more difficult

The Union still has work to do, the “small federal election” is not the big one. In Lower Saxony, the world should look different again. 2023 will be elected in Bremen, Bavaria and Hesse. And in the federal election year, the stumbling blocks are Saxony, Thuringia and Hamburg. The SPD stronghold could in turn help the chancellor.

The CDU at least proved today and last week that they can win elections again. Now a lot will depend on how it sets up itself in terms of content. The program process is to officially begin at the end of May. With the electoral successes of Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia, there are also two prime ministers for whom black and green are just as important as black and yellow. They will continue to demand their positions clearly and unequivocally in the future.

Black and green – popular with some in the CDU

Incidentally, there is a generation ready that could rule in Berlin at any time. A luxury problem that the federal chairman in particular should keep a close eye on. At the latest in autumn at the program party conference in Hanover, the state associations from the north and west should also position themselves clearly in terms of content. Karin Prien, deputy federal chairwoman, shouted hurrah last week when asked whether the women’s quota is coming. The CDU boss does not say no to this, but still hopes for another solution. He had announced it internally, but not yet announced it. There is still a need for discussion in some state associations.

When asked whether Black-Green is coming, Prien also makes no secret today, at least for them it is a broad and reliable alliance that can be forged now. And it almost sounds as if this is also the future model for other elections.

You can win elections with Merz

That might not taste good to everyone in the party. The economic wing also wants to have a say in the realignment of the CDU and is still flirting with the Liberals. You still see the largest intersections here. At least some people have not yet completely given up this wish for Schleswig-Holstein.

And the boss? He has to keep the place together. But he has been able to record two successes in the past few days. The message is: You can win elections with Merz. In return, he now gets two prime ministers who will carry him to success and, if necessary, will also drive self-confidently.