Stuttgart, Germany – The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Germany convenes its 38th party conference in Stuttgart today, , under the motto “Responsibility Commits.” The two-day meeting will focus on personnel decisions and charting the future course of the party, as it navigates a challenging political landscape marked by upcoming state elections and fluctuating national poll numbers.
The conference arrives as Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc seeks to regain momentum. According to recent polling data from Infratest dimap, the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), currently stand at 26% – a historically low figure for the traditionally dominant force in German politics. This follows a federal election in where the Union parties secured 28.5% of the vote.
Public broadcaster phoenix will provide live coverage of the CDU federal party conference, beginning on Friday and continuing until , and resuming Saturday from to . Gerd-Joachim von Fallois will host the broadcast, with political analysis provided by Professor Dr. Jasmin Riedl of the Institute of Political Science at the University of the German Federal Armed Forces Munich.
Scheduled interviews include CDU Chairman and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expected to speak on Saturday afternoon around . On Friday, CDU Presidium member and parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn, and CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann will also be interviewed. Linnemann has previously expressed hope for a “year of change” and a reform package to be announced before spring.
The conference officially opens with remarks from Manuel Hagel, the CDU’s lead candidate for the upcoming state election in Baden-Württemberg, and Stuttgart’s Lord Mayor, Dr. Frank Nopper. Following this, Chancellor Merz and Secretary General Linnemann will deliver reports on the state of the party and its priorities.
A key item on Friday’s agenda is the election of a new federal executive board, with Friedrich Merz seeking re-election as party leader. The outcome of this vote will be closely watched as a signal of internal party unity and confidence in Merz’s leadership.
Saturday’s proceedings will include a greeting from Manfred Weber, Chairman of the European People’s Party (EPP), and a report from Jens Spahn, leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag. A greeting from Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder, Chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU), is anticipated around . The conference will conclude with a closing address from the newly elected party chairman.
The choice of Stuttgart as the conference location is significant, coinciding with the upcoming state election in Baden-Württemberg just two weeks later. The CDU is hoping to capitalize on a potential “chancellor bonus” – a boost in support often experienced by the governing party – in Baden-Württemberg and in four other states holding elections before the end of September. Currently, the CDU holds the office of state premier in two of those states: Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt.
The conference takes place against a backdrop of broader social and political reforms being debated in Germany. The CDU is under pressure to address these challenges and present a compelling vision for the future. The party’s motto, “Responsibility Commits,” underscores this focus on duties and necessities rather than aspirational goals, reflecting the gravity of the current situation.
The meeting in Stuttgart is being viewed as a crucial opportunity for the CDU to demonstrate its readiness for reform and to reassure its supporters. Whether the party can successfully navigate these challenges and regain lost ground remains to be seen, but the outcome of this conference will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in Germany for months to come.
