Eight-decade-long family gathering of Krefelder CDU party held at the Zeughaus
Celebrating Eight Decades of the Krefeld CDU: A Look Back at the Local Branch's History
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Krefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, is gearing up for its 80th anniversary celebration in 2025, marking eight decades since the party's founding in 1945.
Originating as part of the post-World War II establishment of the CDU in Germany, the Krefeld CDU was founded with a mission to unify center-right political forces under Christian democratic and conservative values. Established around the same time as the broader CDU, the local branch focused on reconstruction and democratic renewal in the Krefeld region.
The objectives of the Krefeld CDU initially included promoting democratic governance, economic reconstruction, social welfare aligned with Christian social principles, and fostering community development after the war's devastation. Over time, it aimed at representing local interests within state and federal politics, encouraging citizen participation, and supporting policies consistent with the CDU's national platform.
The anniversary celebration, set to take place on August 22 at the Zeughaus of the Prinzengarde on Glindholzstraße, will be a celebration among its members. The event will feature speeches by notable CDU politicians, commemorative events, and reflections on the party's role in post-war German politics at the local level.
A family festival will also be held on August 23 at the Zeughaus, open to the entire community. The day will be filled with entertainment, including a cover band, "Fachabteilung," starting from 6 p.m., a bouncy castle, face painting, and other attractions for children. The grill will be fired up, and coffee and cake will be served throughout the day.
The Krefeld CDU's founding meeting, which took place on August 22, 1945, had 31 attendees who unanimously decided to found the CDP Krefeld. Notably, Dr. Horster, who had been denounced for regime-critical remarks and faced a procedure before the Special Court in Düsseldorf, was appointed as the interim chairman. The party's founders aimed to exclude former Nazis from their ranks.
Today, the Krefeld CDU boasts around 1100 members and has a rich history that has been traced by local historian Renate Unterberg in an essay. The party will also present its new mascot, "Crefelinchen," a stuffed toy representing a silkworm, at the anniversary celebration.
Political dignitaries such as Dr. Marcus Optendrenk, Nathanael Liminski, and Timo Kühn will be present at the events. All 29 city council candidates have been asked to bring a cake for the family festival.
Historically, the CDU was initially called CDP in Krefeld, but it is now known as "Union" due to historical reasons. Despite facing opposition and challenges, the Krefeld CDU has remained a steadfast presence in the region, working tirelessly to uphold its original objectives and serve the community.
Other politics beyond the CDU's celebration in Krefeld include general-news updates on the upcoming federal elections, as well as local political discussions focusing on city council matters and policy decisions.
General-news networks have been covering the build-up to the German federal elections, shedding light on the strategies and platforms of various parties, including the CDU, in the hopes of winning voter support.
Meanwhile, city councils and local political meetings are ongoing, where issues such as budget allocation, zoning, and community development are being discussed and decided upon, offering other politics apart from the CDU's 80th anniversary celebration.
