Merz advocates for both a shift in policy and an adjustment in approach
In the heart of Stuttgart, the CDU State Party Conference is underway, with Friedrich Merz, the newly elected CDU top candidate for the state election in Baden-Württemberg, taking centre stage. Accompanied by Manuel Hagel, Merz entered the Carl-Benz-Arena to a warm welcome from the crowd.
Merz's policy plans and goals for the CDU in Baden-Württemberg and the eastern German states are centred around strengthening national security, tightening immigration controls, boosting economic modernization, and investing in infrastructure and defence.
On the immigration front, Merz plans to abolish the fast naturalization route introduced by the previous government, tighten entry rules, enforce stricter border control, and increase powers for federal police. This includes denying entry without valid documents and extending detention for deportation.
In terms of defence, Merz aims to build Germany’s military (Bundeswehr) into Europe’s strongest army, with record investments, enhanced technology, and expanded NATO cooperation. He is prepared to dedicate up to 5% of GDP for defence spending as part of a broader security focus.
Economic modernization is another key area for Merz. His CDU promotes a large-scale modernization push with a €500 billion special fund for infrastructure and climate investment. This includes tax relief on equipment investments to revive industry, particularly energy-intensive sectors important in Baden-Württemberg.
The government under Merz is also investing heavily in transport, education, digitization, hospitals, housing, and climate action. Balancing modernization with financial prudence, Merz's administration will implement reforms enabling higher public investment despite previous debt brake promises.
Merz's tenure emphasizes a strong stance on foreign affairs, European alliance solidarity, and tightening of asylum laws. This reflects concerns about migration challenges linked to eastern and southern borders, which affect eastern German states directly.
While specific statement of goals for Baden-Württemberg and the eastern states is not separately detailed, these regions, especially Baden-Württemberg with its industrial economy, benefit from Merz’s emphasis on industrial revitalization, infrastructure spending, and internal security. In eastern states, where immigration and security concerns are often politically salient, Merz’s hardline migration policies and defence focus likely resonate with CDU strategies.
Merz's plans extend beyond Baden-Württemberg. He is focusing on winning back the eastern states for the CDU, engaging in dialogue with people and demonstrating the CDU's ability to win elections in these regions.
In his role as Federal Chancellor, Merz has already made several significant moves. He has rejected right-wing populists, stating that those who work and live in Germany will always be welcome. Merz has also travelled to Paris and Warsaw immediately after taking office, and he is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome tonight.
Merz wants to ensure that Germany moves forward and takes on leadership responsibility in Europe. He aims to change the approach in style within the federal government, promoting a team-oriented attitude with supporting parties and factions. On his 77th birthday, Merz plans to congratulate Minister President Winfried Kretschmann.
In conclusion, Merz champions a combination of conservative social policies, strengthened national security, and pragmatic economic and infrastructure modernization aimed at revitalizing Germany’s economy and securing its borders. These priorities are likely to shape CDU agendas regionally across Baden-Württemberg and the eastern German states.
The policy plans for the CDU, under Friedrich Merz, chiefly revolve around this administration's focus on policy-and-legislation that includes strengthening national security, tightening immigration controls, and boosting economic modernization. In the realm of politics and general-news, Merz's policy-and-legislation proposals are expected to significantly impact the upcoming state election in Baden-Württemberg and potentially influence other regions of Germany, particularly the eastern German states.
