Annual meeting of the JU
Friedrich Merz: “Union has become a difficult political restructuring case”
Is heard at the Junge Union: Friedrich Merz goes to court after the election defeat with the CDU.
© Ina Fassbender / AFP
The public reappraisal of the CDU election disaster begins with the annual meeting of the Junge Union. Friedrich Merz, for many still a figure of hope, settles in drastic terms with his party. For this he has earned more applause.
The CDU member of the Bundestag Friedrich Merz sees his party at a low point and calls for a fundamental reorganization. “With this election result, the Union has become a serious political restructuring case at risk of insolvency,” said Merz on Friday at the start of the Junge Union’s annual meeting in Münster. “The Union has become lazy in government in recent years.” This has to change: For the coming months Merz warned “content-related discussions and content-related determinations”.
“We are facing a long, difficult, challenging time of work and discussion,” said Merz, referring to the likely path of the Union into the opposition. The Union must raise its profile in terms of content and work out an “Agenda 2025” – the next general election is due in 2025. “Nobody seriously believes that it is automatic that we win this election,” warned Merz.
JU boss Kuban: Want to be the “engine of renewal”
Even the federal chairman of the Union’s youth organization, Tilman Kuban, drew a bitter conclusion in his welcoming address: The Union was in “a situation that cannot be otherwise described as shitty,” said Kuban. He lamented the lack of unity in the election campaign: “We experienced an earthquake in the elections because we have behaved like a chicken pile over the past few weeks.”
At the Union it is now time “for young people and for a new agenda,” said Kuban. The Junge Union wants to be “the engine of renewal”. The JU chairman demanded that in future the members should vote on the CDU boss if there is more than one applicant.
With applause settlement with Laschet and Söder
NRW state chief Johannes Winkel sharply criticized the Union chairmen Armin Laschet (CDU) and Markus Söder (CSU). “Anyone who appears in the election campaign like Armin Laschet shouldn’t claim to become chancellor directly after the election, but should above all take responsibility for the result,” said the country chief to the applause of the delegates. “And whoever follows in the election campaign like Markus Söder shouldn’t talk about questions of style after the election, but go to confession.”
Kuban called for a generation change in the Union. He referred to the example of the SPD and the Greens, who send a particularly large number of MPs from the younger generation to the Bundestag after the election. With these two parties there is “a refreshment cure in the group”, while the situation in the Union is more like a “sick bed”.
Friedrich Merz: “The old brush knows the corners”
The 65 year old Merz, who had already unsuccessfully sought the CDU chairmanship twice, showed understanding for the calls for a generation change – but he called for the experience of the elderly to be valued. “Young brooms sweep well – but the old brush knows the corners.” Merz did not comment in Münster on whether he had any further ambitions for the CDU chairmanship.
However, he demanded that the party leadership’s decision be taken this year – he said he had “a lot of sympathy” for a member survey, said Merz.
Laschet comes, Söder cancellation “disappointing”
The Germany Day is the highest body of the Young Union of Germany. 318 delegates from all 18 regional and foreign associations came to Münster for the annual meeting.
The appearance of CDU boss Armin Laschet on Saturday morning is eagerly awaited. Initially, CSU boss Markus Söder had also announced an appearance – but he canceled his attendance at short notice because he wanted to take part in a CSU grassroots event in Bavaria. JU boss Kuban criticized the cancellation as “disappointing”.