2024-10-02 23:00:23
Union
NRW CDU starts federal election campaign with Merz
Updated on September 28, 2024Reading time: 3 min.
Front against the traffic lights, bulwark against the right – the CDU is positioning itself for the federal election with Chancellor candidate Merz. At the NRW CDU party conference, “dear Friedrich” has the home advantage.
Exactly one year before the federal election, the CDU is embarking on a tough election campaign with an appeal for unity in the Union and for all democrats to fight together against the right. Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz appeared combative in his first major speech since his nomination. “We are determined to stand shortly after 6 p.m. on September 28th as those who won the 2025 federal election,” he said at the state party conference of the North Rhine-Westphalia CDU in Münster.
The party conference of the largest CDU state association with Merz’s appearance was under the impression of the AfD’s successes in three state elections in East Germany. Democracy in Germany is facing what is probably its “toughest test in recent decades,” said Merz. The chaotic events surrounding the AfD during the constitution of the Thuringian state parliament were “just a small foretaste” of what could come in the near future. Merz clearly distinguished the CDU from the AfD and ruled out any rapprochement. “We will not associate with these people,” he emphasized.
The CDU federal chairman appealed to the SPD, Greens and FDP to defend democracy against the AfD in the upcoming federal election campaign, despite all differences. There will be a tough election campaign. But the parties must also show “that collaboration, cooperation and standing together are possible in the broad democratic center of our country.” Everyone needs to agree: “We won’t let these people destroy our democracy in Germany.”
The CDU state leader, Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst, called on the Union to position itself as a “bulwark” against extremism. The AfD was also strong in the European elections in the West, he warned. The CDU must put a stop to this and be an “anchor of stability for the center”.
In a first presentation for a possible Union-led federal government, Merz presented the basic principles of an “Agenda 2030” for an economic recovery. The economic policy of the traffic light must therefore be corrected. In the next legislative period, the Union must prove that democratic parties are capable of changing the mood in Germany for the better and solving the country’s problems. Otherwise, the problems would no longer be solved “in the political center,” warned Merz. Among other things, he demanded that Germany remain an industrial country, that crafts be supported and that there be “better framework conditions for everyone and not the highest possible subsidies for a few.”
The first thing the next federal government has to do is treat each other sensibly, said Merz, referring to the disputes in the current traffic light government. Wüst said that people’s trust in the federal government, but also in politicians and parties as well as the state and democracy was shaken. “This traffic light is damaging democracy,” said Wüst. The first step on Germany’s way out of the crisis is the replacement of the federal government.
With home advantage in Münster, Merz from Sauerland was able to rely on the full support of his CDU regional association. “Dear Friedrich, together we will do everything to ensure that you become the next Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany,” shouted Wüst.
But Merz also met a self-confident NRW Prime Minister. Wüst praised the work, unity and trust within his black-green state government. He presented NRW as a pioneer for a new migration policy with stricter rules for immigration and deportations. “We must end irregular migration.”
Wüst was also long considered a potential candidate for chancellor of the Union, but had never openly expressed his ambitions. The decision was made in the final spurt between CDU boss Merz and CSU boss Markus Söder. However, one day before the nomination was announced, Wüst took himself out of the race in a media-focused manner and assured Merz of support. At the same time, the 49-year-old Wüst kept a door open for the future by emphasizing that a Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia is “always a possible candidate for chancellor” – and that one should never say never.
In Münster, Merz and Wüst demonstrated unity. They thanked the CSU and the Bavarian Prime Minister Söder for contributing to unity when nominating the candidate for chancellor. “We only have a chance of winning the federal election if the CDU and CSU take the path together,” said Merz.