Shortly after 10.30 am, CDU party leader Armin Laschet (60) took the stage at the Junge Union (JU) Germany Day – and the sounds of “I Gotta Feeling” from the “Black Eyed Peas” came out of the boxes. The text says: “Tonight’s gonna be a good night”.
“Today will be a good night”. A motto that could sum up this Germany Day. The Junge Union calls for renewal, plans to break out.
Laschet also started his speech at 10:36, with a rejection of ex-Union parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz (65), who had called the party a “restructuring case” after the election debacle.
Laschet: “Incidentally, I do not share the formulation (…) that we are just a total restructuring case”. The Union had “a good program”. Now it is a matter of “wisely and intelligently to put your finger in the wound” if the future government makes mistakes.
Laschet then also spoke plain language: “We achieved a bitter result. Nothing can be glossed over that. I am responsible for this result. ”He added:“ I am responsible for the election campaign, the campaign, and nobody else. ”Long-lasting applause from the audience.
Laschet further: “Even if I would have liked to come to you under different auspices: A CDU chairman must always be with the Junge Union.”
A tip against CSU boss Markus Söder (54), who canceled his participation at short notice? In contrast, JU boss Tilman Kuban (34) was a little clearer. “Armin, the last few weeks have not been easy for the Union,” he said before, very slowly and with difficulty. “But you show that you are here today, that you are facing”.
Long applause from the audience. Because: “True greatness is not only evident when the sun is shining, but also when the wind is blowing from the front.” That is why Laschet shows “today character” – a Söder criticism without mentioning the name of the CSU boss to take.