About: CDU
German CDU elects Merkel rival Merz to lead party
The German conservative CDU party is set to replace former Chancellor Angela Merkel with her oldest "surviving" rival: the neo-liberal Friedrich Merz.
Bullmann: SPD electorate rejects coalition with conservatives
The electorate of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) rejects potential collaboration with Christian Democrats (CDU-CSU) and prefers a progressive government looking at the future rather than a return to the austerity-driven past, EU lawmaker and senior SPD official Udo Bullmann told EURACTIV in an interview in Berln.
Greens and Liberals hold key to form next German government
Following Sunday's federal election, the most likely outcome for the new German Bundestag is one of two coalitions: a Social Democrat-led 'traffic light'-coalition or a Conservative-led 'Jamaica'-coalition. Both camps will now try to win over kingmakers, the Greens and Liberals, to secure a stable majority.
German SPD ahead of conservatives a month before election, poll shows
Germany's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have pulled ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives for the first time in 15 years, according to an opinion poll published on Tuesday (24 August), just a month before the country's federal election.
Joint CO2 targets must not diminish German industry, CDU leader warns EU
The frontrunner to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor has warned the EU that joint greenhouse gas targets must not come at the cost of diminishing the prowess of German industry, signalling a reluctance to join carbon reduction schemes planned in other European countries.
German Greens mull top candidate for landmark post-Merkel election
The German Greens will decide later this month which of their two co-leaders to put forward as their candidate to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel in September’s landmark election, the party said on Wednesday (7 April).
Merkel’s CDU suffers record defeats in regional elections
Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU) suffered record defeats in two regional elections on Sunday (14 March) amid voter anger over a sluggish coronavirus vaccine roll-out and a party corruption scandal that has left Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party reeling as it decides...
Moderate Armin Laschet becomes new CDU leader in election year
North Rhine-Westphalian (NRW) premier Armin Laschet has been elected the new chair of Germany's ruling conservative CDU and will lead the party into the September Bundestag elections, with a good chance of becoming the next chancellor. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The three men vying to succeed Merkel
Germany's conservative CDU party will pick a new leader on Saturday (16 January) from three candidates: moderate Armin Laschet, arch-conservative Friedrich Merz and outsider Norbert Röttgen.
Merkel institutes ‘lockdown light’ until the end of November
Until the end of November, Germany will be in lockdown, albeit a milder one than in spring. Restaurants, bars, entertainment and sports facilities will have to close. Stores, schools and daycare centers will remain open. Only people from two households will be allowed to meet in public. EURACTIV Germany reports.
‘No second shutdown’, Germany’s Altmaier promises business leaders
Speaking at the annual Industry Day event, Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) promised business leaders that there would not be a second shutdown. He also took the opportunity to be critical of his SPD colleague, Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German Social Democrats gear up for a climate election campaign
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz will lead the German Social Democrats (SPD) into the campaign for federal elections in 2021. Not an easy task for a party that faces strong competition from the Greens for number two position, behind the CDU/CSU conservatives. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s Altmaier encourages MEPs to be more realistic
In his presentation of the German EU presidency's priorities, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) urged MEPs on Thursday (16 July) to be more realistic, particularly on renewable energy and relations with China. But he continues to believe that barring Huawei, as the UK recently did, is wrong. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Merkel asks EU Parliament for ‘willingness to compromise’ ahead of mini-summit
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was set to take part in a "mini-summit" with the leaders of the EU institutions in Brussels on Wednesday evening (8 July). It is her first trip abroad since the coronavirus crisis started, testifying to how seriously she is taking her second and last German presidency of the EU Council. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Strong public support for CDU/CSU, but questions remain on Merkel’s successor
Around three months after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany, public approval of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and confidence in Chancellor Angela Merkel remain high. Nevertheless, Merkel is still ruling out a fifth term in office. So how does it look for her potential successors? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s €130bn stimulus package praised by all sides
After 21 hours of negotiations spread over two days, Germany's grand coalition came to an agreement on the €130 billion economic stimulus package close to midnight on Wednesday (3 June). The result has been received surprisingly positively by all sides. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German CDU/CSU climate paper: A stab in Merkel’s back?
In a position paper, Germany's conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group opposed increasing the EU's climate target to 55% by 2030. While this has been the cause for much criticism from other parties, Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats do not believe this contradicts her words. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German-German dispute over fibre optic funding to be decided in Brussels
The European Commission is examining German plans to support the fibre optic industry. The Christian Democrat (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group asked for early approval, while the fixed network industry association BREKO is opposed to the measures. EURACTIV Germany has seen both letters.
COVID-19 crisis boosts support for Laschet/Spahn in CDU leadership race
A special CDU party conference was originally scheduled for this week, but the election of the new chair of the biggest German conservative party has been postponed indefinitely. According to current polls, Armin Laschet can especially profit from the current crisis. EURACTIV Germany reports.
‘Coronabonds’ vs ‘Recovery bonds’: Where does Germany stand?
While German Chancellor Angela Merkel has opposed the idea of 'coronabonds', German MEPs from her own political faction have spoken out in favour of 'recovery bonds', a position that could weigh heavily on the EU summit next Thursday. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Will the coronavirus cause the comeback of Germany’s political centre?
Germans are more satisfied with their government than they have been for a long time, thanks to its coronavirus response. It is making life increasingly difficult for the opposition. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany extends COVID-19 restrictions, but announces relaxation of some measures
People in Germany will have to live with the strict contact restrictions until at least 3 May. This was agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the 16 state premiers in Berlin on Wednesday (15 April). However, the German government also announced its initial plans to ease the restrictions. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s Laschet, Merz join Merkel party leadership race
The premier of Germany's most populous state, Armin Laschet, joined the race to lead Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) on Tuesday and won the backing of Health Minister Jens Spahn who had been expected to run himself. A third contender, Friedrich Merz, also announced his candidacy.