Friedrich Merz, CDU candidate for chancellor and CDU federal chairman, speaks at the 37th federal party conference of the CDU. The CDU wants to adopt an "immediate program" at the party conference, which is to be implemented immediately after the Bundestag elections when a government is formed. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
Keystone
The German Christian Democrats' candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is campaigning for a rapid and tangible change in policy at the start of the hot election campaign phase. "We are ready to lead Germany forward again," said the CDU leader at the start of a party conference in Berlin.
Keystone-SDA
03.02.2025, 13:59
SDA
"A CDU/CSU-led government will get to work without any delay and tackle the problems that have paralyzed our country for so long."
Merz formulated it as a goal that people and companies could go into the 2025 summer break with renewed confidence. The CDU has a "plan for Germany" in terms of content. The candidate for Chancellor received minutes of standing applause before he was able to open the party conference.
At the delegates' meeting less than three weeks before the election, the CDU wants to adopt an "immediate program" in the event that it comes to power. It contains proposals for curbing migration such as refoulement at the borders. They were also part of a CDU/CSU motion in the Bundestag, which received a majority with votes from the right-wing populist AfD. The "immediate action program" also contains announcements on strengthening the economy and security.