Südwest-CDU Seeks Unity Under Chancellor Merz Ahead of Elections

Delegates gathered for a CDU party conference in Stuttgart, equipped with popcorn, prepared for a noteworthy event that was not quite a blockbuster but still significant. The primary agenda was the election of Manuel Hagel as the party's candidate for the state elections scheduled for March 8, 2026. Additionally, the conference marked Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first major appearance within the party since his recent election. His visit, lasting an hour, served as an informal gauge of how party members perceive his initial days in office.

The atmosphere was celebratory as delegates came determined to support Merz, despite some dissatisfaction with his performance thus far. Particularly contentious was his reversal on the debt brake policy, a topic of great importance in Baden-Württemberg, which elicited mixed reactions among the attendees. Furthermore, they noted the challenges Merz faced during his initial attempts to secure the chancellorship.

During his address, Merz emphasized the need for the CDU to govern Germany more effectively than the current coalition government, which includes the SPD. He highlighted the importance of better border control from day one, stating that European neighbors must work together to address shared challenges, while also asserting that Germany cannot bear the brunt of unresolved issues alone. This point garnered significant applause from the audience.

Historically, Merz has enjoyed robust support from the CDU members in the region. Many party members advocated for him during his initial bid for the CDU leadership in late 2018. As discussions unfolded regarding the party's candidate for the upcoming federal elections in 2025, Hagel took a bold step by publicly endorsing Merz as the chancellor candidate in May 2024. This endorsement took place not in Stuttgart, where he had a secure base, but in Lindau, Bavaria, in the company of Markus Söder, the Bavarian Prime Minister. This move even caught Söder off guard, known for his own aspirations for the chancellorship.

Merz's appearance in Stuttgart can be interpreted as a gesture of gratitude towards his steadfast supporters in the southwest, coinciding with Hagel's election as the party's candidate, where he received 272 votes out of 293.

Hagel's election paves the way for a political alliance between him and Merz. The future of the CDU will hinge on whether they can regain the governorship in Baden-Württemberg or if Cem Özdemir from the Greens will continue the legacy of long-serving Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann, who has held office since 2011.

Currently, the CDU in the southwest holds a significant lead in polls, showing 31 percent support compared to the Greens' 20 percent, according to Infratest dimap. The CDU appears poised for victory unless they stumble, leading some party strategists to express concern over Merz's concessions to the SPD and the unclear explanations regarding the infrastructure fund financed by debt.

Merz acknowledged these expectations during his speech. After the conference, he was scheduled to fly to Rome for discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, but he intended to visit Kretschmann, who celebrated his 77th birthday that day and has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026. Merz planned to assure Kretschmann that his legacy would be in capable hands with Hagel.