Two and a half years after switching to the opposition, the CDU wants to look forward. At its federal party conference, it presents itself as united, willing to govern and confident. But can the CDU also convince voters?
The first message is contained in the jubilant applause with which party leader Friedrich Merz is greeted on stage before he has even begun his speech: the party wants to show how united it is behind him. The praise can be heard everywhere: Merz succeeded in bringing the party’s wings together and stabilizing the CDU in the opposition. In the polls she is ahead at 30 percent. The applause is also thanks for that.
Merz himself delivered the second message right at the beginning of his speech: The CDU wants to govern again. With the new basic program, Merz explained, the CDU is ready to take over government responsibility for Germany again immediately or by autumn of next year at the latest. And as if to prove this, the party leader gave an almost state-level speech.
Merz refrains from populist attacks
Merz did not spare himself with critical tones towards the traffic light coalition and the Greens, who wanted to “regulate and regulate everything”. But he doesn’t want to limit himself to the role of opposition leader, but rather emphasize what the CDU would do in government: abolish citizens’ money, strengthen the economy with an “agenda for the hard-working”, and relieve the burden on farmers. Climate policy is about setting goals. Otherwise, companies and research institutions should do their work.
Merz refrained from populist attacks. His clearest criticism was directed at the AfD, “which rejects, mocks and destroys many of our values and our Europe from within.” The CDU will defend itself against this “force of decomposition” in the coming elections. Merz was self-critical: The CDU also needs to ask itself why democratic parties have lost trust. He is convinced that this can only be regained if the CDU offers solutions and implements them.
State leaders praise the party leader
The party wants to decide on its basic program on Tuesday. It’s about freedom and security, about performance and guiding culture. For every point that Merz worked on, he received applause and a standing ovation at the end, even if the delegates privately confirmed that the party chairman had already given stronger speeches.
Afterwards, everyone of rank and name spoke up to praise Merz – even those prime ministers who were not always considered Merz’s biggest supporters. Daniel Günther from Schleswig-Holstein said it was no secret that he was not always on the same page with Merz.
But: “Dear Friedrich, I want to expressly respect that: you are an excellent party and parliamentary group leader.” Boris Rhein from Hesse called it Merz’s personal achievement that the party had gained so much profile. This has rebuilt the CDU. The head of government of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, called on the party conference to support Merz and send a signal of unity.
A word comes up often in speeches
And so it happened: Merz was re-elected party leader with 89.8 percent. He thanked him for the vote of confidence and spoke of two tough years ahead, but the CDU would come out of this party conference with a tailwind. And that’s why the party also needs the third message: confidence.
This word was heard conspicuously often in the speeches, and Wiebke Winter, delegate from Bremen, also sees every reason for it: despite the wars that endanger external security, the climate crisis and the difficulties in maintaining social security systems. “I think we can be confident despite these crises because our policy program provides the solutions to these problems,” she said.
In the end, the election results count
The party presented itself as united, willing to govern and confident. The decisive factor will be whether the CDU can convince voters of this – first in the European elections and in the fall in the state elections in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg. Party leader Merz will then have to be measured against the results there.
Vera Wolfskämpf, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, May 6th, 2024 5:28 p.m