CSU winter retreat: “Mission Union” – CSU wants political change

A tough course in migration policy, more “law and order”, but a clear rejection of black-green and “left-green” politics: With these political cornerstones, the CSU is starting the crucial weeks leading up to the federal election on February 23rd. There is an urgent need for a change in policy and direction, emphasize CSU leader Markus Söder and state group leader Alexander Dobrindt at the start of the traditional winter retreat for CSU members of the Bundestag in Seeon Monastery in Upper Bavaria – while behind them a clock counts down the days and hours until election evening.

“Conservative Revolution”

The “Mission Union” will start on election evening at 6 p.m., is how Dobrindt describes the CDU and CSU’s intended takeover of government – at one point Söder uses the word “conservative revolution”. In the upcoming election campaign sprint, there is a need for “no wishy-washy concepts, no exaggerated correctness, but a clear line,” says the party leader. Dobrindt adds that after the end of the traffic lights, a “political change” is needed.

A warning look to Austria

Also with a view to neighboring Austria, both reject all black-green ideas. “Austria has shown where black-green leads: only to the extreme strengthening of other forces, there the FPÖ,” says Söder and warns that this could be the same with the AfD in this country. That’s why a change in policy and direction is so urgently needed – and to achieve this the Union must become as strong as possible. The focus is on the middle, but also has the “center-right” in mind, says Söder. He rails against “wokeness” and says: “This whole left-green social ideal area is not ours.”

The CSU’s winter retreat has been a political ritual for decades, with which the CSU regularly attracts a lot of attention. This year especially – it can be assumed that many of the loud calls for the hoped-for change of government could actually become reality.

In terms of content, the course has long been set with the joint election program of the CDU and CSU. However, the CSU manages to go a little further than the CDU in some areas, in terms of content or tone. For example, when she calls for the expansion of the so-called mother’s pension, i.e. equal treatment of all mothers when it comes to pensions. Or if she wants to link the right of residence for migrants to a sufficient income.

Especially when it comes to migration policy, the CSU simply wants to be a bit tougher and more consistent than its sister party – even if Söder and Dobrindt emphasize their fundamental agreement with the CDU. But Söder also says: “Here we will focus on the issues with a hard hand.”

Demonstrative solidarity with Merz

With this and the clear rejection of the black-green coalition, the tone has been set, including for the main guest on Wednesday: Chancellor candidate and CDU leader Friedrich Merz is then expected in Seeon. “There has never been so much commonality,” praises Söder and emphasizes how much he personally supports Merz.

But one thing is clear: If Merz becomes the next chancellor, as all polls suggest, the CSU will have a decisive say in the new coalition. Söder has already made it clear several times that he sees the coalition committee as the central decision-making body – in which he would probably have the most important vote alongside Chancellor Merz.

Söder does not want to become a minister

Söder has also made it clear several times that he wants at least three ministerial positions for the CSU. And that he doesn’t see himself in one of these positions.

In any case, it shouldn’t be all that easy for Merz with Söder at his side. Especially since no one knows what plans the CSU boss has for his own future. Does he hope for another chance to run for chancellor in 2029? Of course, the clock in Seeon is now counting the time until February 23, 2025.