CDU: Auf der Suche nach dem „Ruheraum der Demokratie“

In the wake of the recent elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, the CDU has found itself in a state of flux. Within two weeks in September, the party lost its governmental responsibility in Magdeburg and for the first time in its history, left a Landtag (state parliament) in Schwerin. The CDU has been primarily outmaneuvered by the AfD (Alternative for Germany).

The AfD aims to destroy the CDU, and in Magdeburg, the AfD might have its first Minister-President by December, while in Schwerin, it has already become the new civic party. The CDU is now merely an extra-parliamentary opposition.

In the face of this situation and the coalition's disastrous poll numbers, along with Chancellor and CDU chief Friedrich Merz, the party leadership convened in a closed meeting this Sunday, with the possibility of meeting again on Monday morning. Central questions include how to proceed, who should lead the party, and what content and presentation to use. Questions also arise about whether the CDU's "Brandwall" (wall) remains effective against the AfD.

The agenda seems to indicate that the participants expect a cozy meeting: Merz will greet the 25 members of the highest party board, the Presidium, around 1 pm. These include Prime Ministers, federal and state ministers, state chairmen, the federal managing director, the two general secretaries, the treasurer, the faction leader, and the chancellor's chief.

Merz will listen to Jana Mütze, the manager of the opinion research institute Civey. A multi-day discussion will follow, and then there will be a joint dinner, during which Altbundespräsident Joachim Gauck will deliver the dinner speech.