In 2011, a CDU man abolished conscription. More than ten years later, the party is now moving away from this. And anything else?
The CDU has adopted a basic program for the first time since 2007. According to party leader Friedrich Merz, this is intended to chart the party’s course for the next ten years. It has the title: “Live in freedom. Lead Germany safely into the future.” A selection of the most important decisions:
Stricter asylum policy
“Everyone who applies for asylum in Europe should be transferred to a safe third country and go through a procedure there,” is the crucial sentence in the chapter on asylum policy. Implementation of the concept would mean a radical change in current German and European asylum policy. Agreements should be agreed with the third country in order to distribute asylum seekers among European countries if the decision is positive. Those people who have already received or applied for asylum in another Schengen state should be rejected at German internal borders.
Social and pension
The emphasis is placed on rewarding working people and focusing government aid on those who need it. “If you can work, you should work,” it is said. Anyone who continues to work voluntarily after retirement should receive tax relief. Low income groups should be relieved of their social security contributions. Politics should not interfere in tariff setting.
Finance and taxes
The CDU wants to relieve the burden on small and medium incomes, the top tax rate should take effect later, and a wealth tax is rejected. Overtime should be tax-free, demands the CDU – similar to the FDP. The CDU also wants to promote private wealth creation, especially for small and medium incomes. However, a proposal by the Federal Executive Board to provide newborns with start-up capital to build wealth failed. CDU boss Merz then announced that he would present a concept for employee wealth creation by the end of the year. The party is once again committed to the debt brake.
Return to compulsory military service
The federal party conference spoke out in favor of a return to compulsory military service. Until a compulsory company year is implemented, a compulsory military service quota should be introduced. An entire cohort is recruited, but only the number of recruits that the Bundeswehr needs are drafted. Sweden has a similar model. The Bundeswehr should be able to deploy more internally than before.
Foreign and Security Policy
The CDU makes a clear commitment to the EU, NATO, the transatlantic partnership and support for Israel. She wants a national security council in the federal government. “The German-French engine and the Weimar Triangle with Poland are fundamental for us,” they say. In the EU we must move to majority decisions in foreign and security policy. The EU Commission is to be noticeably reduced in size. What is needed is a “360-degree view” against extremism and a tightening of criminal law, for example against hate speech and acts of violence.
Protect trade routes
The party conference is committed to free trade. “We are also committed to the freedom of trade routes. We must also protect these militarily if necessary,” says the basic program.
Nuclear power – yes please!
The CDU is keeping the option of nuclear power open, but remains vague. Germany cannot currently do without the nuclear power option. The CDU confirms that it also aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2045.
Food security in the Basic Law
Against the will of the party leadership, the party congress decided that food security should be anchored as a state goal in the Basic Law.
Social policy
The CDU emphasizes the importance of families, which should be better supported – although the party recognizes greater diversity among families. A “gender compulsion” is rejected, but gender-equitable language is aimed for.
Leading culture and Iceland
The CDU wants a guiding culture that encompasses more than the Basic Law. “Only those who commit to our guiding culture and therefore our values can integrate and become German citizens,” it says.
Regarding the formulation on Islam discussed in advance, it now says: “Muslims are part of the religious diversity of Germany and our society. (…) An Islam that does not share our values and rejects our free society does not belong to Germany.”
Merz wants to reach swing voters with a new program
According to party leader Friedrich Merz, the CDU primarily wants to convince swing voters with its new basic program. “We have to reach beyond our own members, beyond our regular voters, and the number of them is increasing, who decide anew in every election who they should vote for,” he said. “This basic program is aimed at them in a very special way.” Merz spoke of a historic day for the CDU. The election program will now be developed on this basis.
In addition, the program also has the function of “a party’s internal self-assurance,” said Merz. “We have to know about ourselves, who we are, where we are, what we want. We have succeeded in doing that.” The program should also be a “powerful symbol and signal to the outside world”. “It gives orientation, it gives support, it also gives people confidence in uncertain times.” This is the most important task of the Union.
The 1,001 delegates received 2,120 amendments to the almost 70-page draft of the basic program. It replaces the 2007 program. With the adoption of the fourth basic program in the party’s history, the CDU wanted to complete its substantive renewal after the disaster in the 2021 federal election.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
