Thomas Strobl repeatedly led the Southwest CDU out of the crisis. But many in the regional association now see him as the problem himself. Now he is making room for a new beginning.
Thomas Strobl has confirmed that he will not run again for the CDU state chairmanship. “I’m stepping aside,” said the 63-year-old in Stuttgart. “This is a sovereign decision.”
Strobl emphasized after meetings of the CDU presidium and the state executive committee that he was not put under pressure. Strobl has led the regional association since 2011. His move became known during the morning.
Strobl’s designated successor is his own proposed parliamentary group leader, Manuel Hagel. Strobl wants to remain interior minister and deputy head of government. For many months, 35-year-old Hagel has been said to have ambitions for the post of CDU state leader – and for the top candidate for the 2026 state elections.
Hagel is considered the state association’s hope. The CDU state party conference will officially decide on the state chairmanship on November 18th in Reutlingen.
The political situation in the southwest
Baden-Württemberg was politically firmly in the grip of the CDU for almost six decades. In 2011, the state elections brought a spectacular turnaround: after 58 years, the party lost power to the green-red coalition. The CDU was in opposition until 2016, which was a completely new experience for them.
Since then, the Christian Democrats have governed as junior partners with the Greens with Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens). Thomas Strobl has led the party since 2011. The Interior Minister is under political pressure because of the affair surrounding the police inspector and a related investigative committee.
Source: Stern
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