Bundestag election: Söder warns Union against “cheap compromises”

According to CSU leader Markus Söder, the Union should not make any major concessions when forming a government after the federal election. “We can’t offer cheap compromises, we have to approach things fundamentally,” said Bavaria’s Prime Minister at a CSU delegates’ meeting in Munich. The Union must change something in Germany. “If we don’t do it, others will do it at some point. Anti-Democrats have staying power, they are at the door.”

Traffic lights leave behind factual and psychological shambles

A good two months before the federal election, Söder called on the Union for a fundamental change in government and direction in Germany. After dark years of the traffic light coalition, there is a chance for a new beginning. “Germany must be put back in order.” The traffic light leaves behind a factual and psychological shambles. “Instead of hope there is depression, instead of international recognition there is isolation.”

Söder: Election program must also be implemented

“It’s time for something to change in Berlin,” said Söder. That’s why it’s not enough to just replace ministers. “We have to approach things fundamentally.” What is needed is “serious politics for serious times” and “competence be damned.” This means that the most important points of the Union’s election program are also implemented: “The program is not intended to be rewritten after the election.”

The Union’s election program is to be decided next week

The boards of the CDU and CSU want to decide on the joint election program this Tuesday in Berlin. The program enables a “real change of direction,” said Söder. “With this election program we show that there is a different way.” In the 79-page draft, the CDU and CSU are committed to, among other things, tax cuts and a tougher asylum course. They also list many traffic light projects that are to be reversed: such as the legalization of cannabis, the right to vote and the heating law.

Clear rejection of black-green

With a view to possible government alliances after the election, Söder is sticking to his clear rejection of the black-green coalition. The debate about black and green is damaging the Union because it confuses people, he said in his almost hour-long speech. “I can only say, of course the AfD is the enemy, but we don’t need the Greens in the government.” But the SPD will also be a “big chunk” because, for example, citizens’ money has to be abolished.

Dobrindt should lead the CSU as the top candidate in the election campaign

At the delegate meeting, the CSU elected its state group leader in the Bundestag, Alexander Dobrindt, as the top candidate for the federal election, as it did in 2021. He received 93 percent of the valid votes cast. In his speech, he also harshly criticized the traffic light government: “Olaf Scholz has run afoul of business, Germany deserves a better government.” A change in policy is needed: “We don’t want to change the country, we don’t want to change the people, we want to change politics.” That is the difference between the left wing and the right wing and the CSU and the Union in the middle.