Draft election program: Union promises stricter asylum policy and relief

After winning the federal election in February, the Union wants to cut numerous taxes and implement a de facto stop in accepting illegal migrants. “Our country needs a fundamental change in migration policy,” says the draft of the joint election program of the CDU and CSU available to the German Press Agency. “Strict limits on migration are urgently needed.”

In addition, compulsory military service should be introduced and Ukraine should receive further support. In its election program, the Union is also committed to the debt brake. There are also plans for a “retirement provision from childhood” to include a state-sponsored securities account for each child.

The boards of the CDU and CSU want to decide on the joint election program this Tuesday in Berlin. It is then planned that the chairmen of the CDU and CSU, Union faction leader Friedrich Merz and the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder, will present the program.

Illegal migration is overwhelming the country

Regarding migration, it is said that those who enter Germany from another member state of the EU or the Schengen area and want to apply for asylum with us should be rejected at German borders.

To justify a stricter course, the party says that Germany primarily needs skilled workers. Illegal migration is overwhelming the country and its ability to integrate. If the Union has its way, benefits in kind should generally have priority over cash benefits.

The Union also wants to tighten its policy towards refugees from Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, in order to get more people into work. In order to speed up asylum procedures and make returns easier, additional countries should be classified as “safe countries of origin” and more readmission agreements should be concluded with the main countries of origin.

Since the Union will probably have to rely on one or more coalition partners after the election on February 23rd, it is unclear whether and to what extent it will actually be able to enforce its demands.

Reduce taxes and abolish tax returns for pensioners

To provide relief for citizens, the Union wants to reduce taxes and abolish the obligation for pensioners to file tax returns. The income tax rate should be reduced gradually and the top tax rate should take effect later. The “Bild” newspaper reported on this.

Currently, the top tax rate of 42 percent is due from an annual taxable income of 66,761 euros for singles and 133,521 euros for partners. From the limit, every additional euro is taxed at 42 percent.

The Union wants to completely abolish the solidarity surcharge. It promises commuters a higher commuter allowance. Companies should be given tax relief and, according to the Augsburger Allgemeine, “clearing out laws” are intended to reduce statistical obligations and duplicate structures.

The burden of social security contributions should be reduced: “We want to move back towards 40 percent,” it says. The VAT rate for food in restaurants should fall to 7 percent.

Conscription and the European missile shield

“We are introducing compulsory military service. This is necessary for the peace and security of our country,” the news magazine Politico quotes from the draft. It goes on to say: “We are taking the lead in building a European missile defense shield.”

Ukraine should continue to be supported “with diplomatic, financial and humanitarian means as well as with arms deliveries,” Politico quotes from the draft. Ukraine “also defends our freedom.” It goes on to say: “We stand by Israel in its legitimate fight against terror.”

Commitment to the debt brake

“Stick to the constitutional debt brake” is the demand in the chapter on financial policy, as the “Handelsblatt” reports. According to the information, there is no mention of a need for reform in the election program: “It has proven its functionality and flexibility even in times of crisis,” it emphasizes.

“Early start pension” for every child

According to the ideas of the CDU and CSU, every six-year-old in Germany should become a depot owner in the future. As “Stern” reports, the Union is planning a state-sponsored capital market depository for every child for retirement provision – a so-called early start pension. “Young people should make their own capital-funded provisions as early as possible. That’s why for every child from the age of 6 to 18, 10 euros per month should be paid into a capital-funded and privately organized retirement savings account.”

From their 18th birthday, everyone can privately expand the depot planned by the Union until they retire. Unlike other models – such as basic inheritance – according to “Stern”, the money should not be paid out at the age of 18. Instead, the deposit should serve as retirement provision.

Fewer staff in ministerial and Bundestag administrations

According to the news portal “t-online”, the CDU and CSU are also planning to reduce the number of commissioners. The ministerial and Bundestag administration should manage with ten percent fewer staff.

With a so-called experimentation clause, municipalities and districts should also be able to try things out in an unbureaucratic manner, according to “t-online”. The program says that local decision-makers must have the security of being able to make quick and pragmatic decisions. Furthermore, legal action options and instances should be reduced: “We are in favor of abolishing the right of collective action in infrastructure projects.”