CSU party conference: Union relies on struggle and unity in the campaign final

Two weeks before the Bundestag election, the Ugspitze committed its followers to the hot campaign phase. The chairs of the CDU and CSU, Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder, asked the party base at the small CSU party conference in Nuremberg in order to fight every voice and not be discouraged by criticism of migration policy. They categorically rejected the support of other parties such as the FDP through second votes. “Let’s not give away anything,” said Söder. There is “no reason to consider competitors,” emphasized Merz.

Survey sees slight losses for the Union, AfD and SPD

In a current INSA survey, the three strongest political forces, meanwhile, slightly lost ground. Union, AfD and SPD lost one percentage point in the survey for the “Bild am Sonntag” compared to the previous week. CDU and CSU are still clearly in front with 29 percent, followed by the AfD with 21 percent and the SPD with 16 percent. Merz warned the Union not to be too confident. CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that nobody could beat the CDU and CSU as long as they were closed.

Search for delimitation to the AfD

According to the controversial Bundestag votes on migration policy, Söder, like Merz, tried to reject any cooperation with the AfD for the future. “No, no and no: there is no collaboration,” said Söder at a CSU party conference in Nuremberg. Two weeks before the Bundestag election, he called the CSU delegates: “Yes, yes, yes, we are the protective wall, we are the fire wall.”

Merz: Cooperation with AfD would reveal the country and CDU

Merz went one step further: “We would reveal our country. I would reveal the CDU’s soul if I would even be enough to do such a policy in Germany.” The CDU is in the tradition of great political decisions for western binding, for the European Union, for the euro, for NATO. “In principle, all of this questions the AfD and they want to find their salvation and peace on Putin’s lap,” said Merz, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

CDU and CSU in the Bundestag had recently accepted a possible majority of votes with the help of the AfD (and the FDP) to enforce their proposals for migration policy. The Union had thus triggered violent protest by the SPD, Greens and the left a few weeks before the election – the churches in Germany also spoke critically about the Union’s approach.

Convisable tones from Merz to the SPD and Greens

On the sidelines of the party congress, Merz was also conciliatory with a view of the SPD and the Greens: Both parties are “very reasonable” when it comes to making reasonable and correct decisions. After the election, he wanted to “conduct reasonable discussions with the SPD and with others,” he said in an interview with Bavarian Radio. Söder said more skeptical about asylum policy: “I don’t know if there is a lot with the SPD, but I know one thing: the Greens will not be a partner when it comes to an effective and sustainable limitation of migration.”

Söder’s unusual appeal to the churches

In his speech as a replica, Söder suggested more reluctance to both churches in political issues. The Bavarian Prime Minister also indulged that the Free State pays the salaries of the churches – and that the Union is the only party that is still on the side of the churches. “I know how plural churches are organized. Therefore no criticism, but perhaps as a small point of notification: don’t forget who is still at the side of the church institution. We are. Not that at some point you are suddenly alone. Think about it. “

Presence obligation for future cabinet in Brussels

Merz announced that he wanted to prescribe a attendance in Brussels when he was taken over by the government. “Germany has to play a role in Europe again, must be present in Europe.” At the same time, Merz Brussels accused over -regulation. He strictly turned against “Pipifax that no one needs”. As an example, he cited the obligation introduced in the EU that the plastic lid must be connected to the bottles for disposable bottles.

Merz pretends CSU election goal

Merz issued a clear election goal for the CSU. 47 of the 299 constituencies were in Bavaria, he said. “In the evening of this election day, I would like to see that the CSU in Bavaria all, without exception, won all the Bundestag electors in Bavaria again for the CSU. And you can do that.” In the 2021 federal election, the CSU 45 of the 46 constituencies at that time – in 2025 there are a 47th constituency for the first time in Bavaria due to changes in the population.