Laschet’s six-point plan: an “immediate program” for the final spurt

The day after the TV triumph, Union candidate for chancellor Laschet presented an “immediate program”. It promises financial relief for large groups of voters – and should help out of the polls.

Armin Laschet gives the impression that he is satisfied with himself and the world. He speaks of a successful weekend – from the “great CSU party convention” to the TV triall to yesterday’s local elections in Lower Saxony, where the CDU was the strongest force. “Polls are polls, in the end it is the voters who decide,” emphasizes the Union Chancellor candidate. As little as can actually be deduced from a local election for the Bundestag election, Laschet nevertheless draws confidence from it.

Good mood despite bad poll results

In general, the mood was good among the CDU leaders on the day after the TV debate, it is said from the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus. The results of the quick polls, according to which SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz won, do not shake the Union: The own candidate is praised enthusiastically, there is talk of catching up and reversing the trend.

What else can the CDU and CSU do, two weeks before the general election in the polls.

An “immediate program” is now intended to provide further persuasive assistance. “You can rely on the CDU and CSU in uncertain times,” it says. Laschet explains: “There are six packages on the important questions that we want to tackle a hundred days after the election.” The prerequisite for this is that the Union governs again. And to make sure that this happens, she makes a few promises to her classic target groups: to medium-sized businesses and workers, to the police and emergency services, to farmers and families.

Relief for everyone

Relief has been announced for everyone, such as tax benefits for families and single parents. Silvia Breher, responsible for families in the Union’s future team, which was put together at short notice, says: “First of all, we want more money for the children and families. We will keep the spouse splitting.” The Union also wants to increase child benefit, but does not give an exact amount.

For those in need of care there is a new measure in the “immediate program” that is not part of the Union’s electoral program: the personal contribution for a home place should be capped at 700 euros. On average, the corresponding share is currently 790 euros.

The remaining points are largely known positions. Laschet again promises the economy that there will be no tax increases with the CDU / CSU. Video cameras should bring more security, planning processes should be accelerated, incentives should ensure more climate protection.

Michael Kellner, Federal Managing Director of Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen, recognizes a blank space: It would continue as before, without decisive measures to achieve the climate goals, such as expanding renewable energies or getting out of coal earlier.

Accentuated election campaign between the SPD and the Union

While the content does not cause much excitement, the tone is likely to intensify in the next two weeks. With his intensified attacks on Olaf Scholz, Laschet has already made it clear that he sees the SPD as the main opponent. And in this direction he says today: “Everyone will notice that it will be a directional decision. It does not matter who is somehow ahead.”

This escalation is now the strategy of the Union: On the one hand, the CDU / CSU present themselves as an anchor of stability, on the other hand they conjure up the dangers of a left alliance should Scholz win the election.

The SPD reacts calmly: All these campaigns, says SPD leader Saskia Esken, are evidence of a panic union that has no plan and no compass. That is why it is time for the Union to go into opposition. In any case, the roles for the last two weeks until the federal election have been assigned.