Status: 03.10.2021 10:07 p.m.
In terms of content, the Union and FDP have some overlaps – and so the three General Secretaries emphasized the similarities after the first explorations: There are only “few cliffs” in terms of content, according to the FDP.
In the evening, the Union also took part in the explorations – with the declared partner of choice, the FDP. The three general secretaries Paul Ziemiak (CDU), Volker Wissing (FDP) and Markus Blume (CSU) made no secret of the fact that they got along well.
The conversation was characterized by “great personal trust and great similarities in the matter”, said CDU man Ziemiak. They have a common understanding that “something new has to be created”. The tasks of the future – maintaining prosperity, climate, digitization – can only be mastered by starting over.
FDP sees only “few cliffs”
FDP General Secretary Wissing also highlighted the similarities. In terms of content, there are “few cliffs” – Wissing had sounded completely different hours earlier when assessing the talks with the SPD. However, when asked, he did not want to make a direct comparative assessment. All talks – with the Greens, with the SPD and with the Union – were constructive: “It is a good signal that the parties in the democratic center are speaking openly and constructively.”
“Think Big!”
CSU General Secretary Blume also recognized the similarities. “We are very close together on the essential content-related points,” said Blume. “Think Big” was the title of the conversation. Because it is clear to all those involved that it is now a matter of “shaping the new era, not managing the status quo”.
Union is already debating personal details
When asked, Blume also made it clear that the CSU is standing by the explorations – despite the unrest in the Union and the weakness of CDU candidate Armin Laschet. “We want and we can,” said Blume.
The pressure on the CDU boss, however, is increasing after the historically poor performance. FDP leader Christian Lindner had doubts about a Jamaica alliance just hours before the exploratory talks: “The CDU and CSU must clarify whether they really want to lead a government,” said Lindner of “Bild am Sonntag”.
There are also increasing voices in their own ranks calling for the party’s content and personnel to be realigned. Most recently, CDU Vice Jens Spahn called for a new start in “Bild am Sonntag”: “For this there must be a federal party conference, in January at the latest,” said Spahn. And added: “Nobody can deny that mistakes were made in the election campaign and that our top candidate did not draw properly.”
The SPD had become the strongest force in the Bundestag election last Sunday with 25.7 percent. The Union crashed to 24.1 percent. The Greens came in number three with 14.8 percent. Behind was the FDP with 11.5 percent.