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CDU Politician Attends Controversial Hungarian Event, Raising Questions About Party Allegiances
Saskia Ludwig, a prominent CDU (Christian Democratic Union) politician, has found herself at the centre of controversy after attending a festival at the Mathias-Corvinus-Collegium (MCC) in Hungary, a think tank associated with right-wing populist ideologies and the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Ludwig's visit to the MCC, which has been known to host right-wing figures and controversial ideological events, comes amidst growing concerns about the CDU's stance on cooperation with right-wing think tanks and parties. Although the CDU maintains a formal barrier primarily against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), some individual members like Ludwig have been reported to attend events organised by such organisations.
The MCC's connections to right-wing US publicists have been well-documented, adding fuel to the fire of criticism. It is important to note that Ludwig's attendance does not necessarily indicate an official CDU policy endorsement of cooperation with right-wing extremist groups or think tanks. The party, in general, has been cautious and distancing in its approach to such entities, especially the AfD, which is officially classified as a “proven far-right extremist entity” by German domestic intelligence.
In January, Ludwig spoke out against a firewall with the AfD, a stance that has caused criticism. However, the General Secretary of the CDU of Brandenburg, Gordon Hoffmann, has stated that there is a party congress resolution that excludes coalitions with the AfD. The Union's incompatibility resolution also binds every CDU member, excluding any cooperation with the AfD.
Ludwig's spokesperson confirmed that it was her second visit to an MCC event. Yet, no comment was provided regarding a reported meeting with Alice Weidel of the AfD. The CDU, on the other hand, has been clear in its rejection of coalitions and similar forms of cooperation with the AfD and the Left.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz has threatened to expel cooperative-minded Christian Democrats from the party, signalling a firm stance against any deviation from the party line. Ludwig has shown herself open to a "center-right coalition," which the CDU of Brandenburg rejected.
Throughout her political career, Ludwig has been a member of the state parliament from 2004 to 2025, and since 2025, she has been a member of the Bundestag. She served as the chairperson of the CDU of Brandenburg from 2010 to 2012. However, her recent actions have raised questions about her alignment with the CDU's official stance.
In a statement published on the online portal "Nius," Ludwig expressed her belief in free exchange of opinions as a central element of a democratic society. Yet, her stance on the SPD constitutional judge candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf has caused criticism.
The University of Potsdam has also expressed initial suspicions of plagiarism in Ludwig's own doctoral thesis. These developments have further fuelled the debate about Ludwig's alignment with the CDU's values and principles.
As the CDU navigates the complexities of modern politics, it remains to be seen how individual members' actions will impact the party's overall stance and reputation.
- The growing concerns about the CDU's stance on cooperation with right-wing think tanks and parties, such as education policies and policy-and-legislation decisions, are being highlighted by Saskia Ludwig's attendance at a controversial event at the Mathias-Corvinus-Collegium in Hungary.
- Amidst ongoing questions about the alignment of individual CDU members, such as Saskia Ludwig, with the party's official stance, crime-and-justice issues like the firewall with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and allegations of plagiarism in Ludwig's own doctoral thesis, have become areas of general-news interest and debate.
