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CDU's Manuel Hagel Elected as State Chairman in Baden-Württemberg
The political landscape in Baden-Württemberg is shifting as Manuel Hagel, the new Spitzenkandidat of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was elected as the state chairman with an overwhelming 93.8% of the votes.
The election campaign for various political parties, including the Greens, Social Democrats (SPD), Alternative for Germany (AfD), and FDP, is ongoing in the region. The CDU, which currently holds an 11-percentage-point lead over the Greens, is in a spirit of renewal as the new chancellor party.
At the CDU party conference held in Stuttgart, Manuel Hagel delivered a speech that emphasised diligence, the Swabian work ethic, and world market leaders, which are part of his standard repertoire. Hagel's rhetoric has convinced the delegates, and he leads his faction unitedly.
Hagel's approach to the election is strategic and inclusive. He intentionally refrains from harshly criticizing political rivals like Green Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann, instead offering respectful acknowledgement while promising tangible benefits to specific groups. For instance, he has hinted at a "hardship test" for homeowners regarding recently reformed property tax.
To increase his recognition and appeal to voters, Hagel uses a strategy of "friendly packaged vagueness," presenting his policies in a less confrontational and more inclusive tone that can attract undecided voters. He engages in public events and appearances, including unconventional venues like a hip-hop club, to broaden his outreach beyond traditional CDU audiences and create a fresher image.
Hagel has struck a new tone towards AfD voters, distancing himself from the party but expressing a desire to win back voters. This approach is a combination of strategic moderation, respectful competition, and targeted promises to voter groups, alongside efforts to boost visibility through diverse public engagement.
Meanwhile, the AfD will follow Markus Frohnmaier as the state chairman in July, and the FDP will also have a new state chairman in July. The SPD has already named Andreas Stoch as their candidate, and the Greens will nominate Cem Özdemir next week.
The CDU has gained 5000 new members during this period, indicating a growing support for Hagel's leadership. Notably, Stefan Mappus, who has not attended a CDU party conference since 2011, was present at the event this time. Former ministers Günther Oettinger and Stefan Mappus were also present on the stage after Hagel's speech.
New Chancellor Friedrich Merz's performance in Berlin will determine Hagel's path to Villa Reitzenstein, the official residence of the state premier. Hagel's path to becoming state chairman is less steep than that of Cem Özdemir, whose Greens are almost unreachable.
With Hagel's election, the CDU in Baden-Württemberg is poised for a fresh start, with a leader who promises to appeal broadly to voters and maintain a moderate, pragmatic approach.
[1] Source: Der Spiegel [4] Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung [5] Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
The policy-and-legislation landscape in Baden-Württemberg is likely to undergo changes, as the general-news media report the CDU's shift in leadership with Manuel Hagel's election as the state chairman. As part of his election campaign strategy, Hagel aims to appeal to a broader audience by adopting a moderated, inclusive tone in policy-and-legislation discussions.
