(de-news.net) – At a CDU party meeting, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has defended his government’s reform plan, encouraged increased public trust in Germany’s future, and called for coalition compromise. Besides, he cautioned against possible AfD advances in the next state elections.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) expressed confidence in his government’s capacity to implement successful social reforms while reaffirming his commitment to maintaining a dependable welfare state during a CDU state party conference in Linstow. At the same time, he argued that the existing system could not remain unchanged indefinitely and emphasized that meaningful progress in reform efforts would require a readiness to compromise from both governing partners, namely the SPD and the CDU/CSU coalition. His remarks reflected an effort to balance support for the social state with the need for structural adjustments aimed at ensuring its long-term effectiveness and sustainability.
Merz also referred to a high-level coalition meeting scheduled for Wednesday that will bring together representatives of trade unions, employers, and industry associations. According to the Chancellor, the discussions are intended to identify areas of common ground and explore potential points of consensus among the various stakeholders. While he stressed that the government was not seeking to reestablish a formal concerted-action framework, he nevertheless indicated that labor and business organizations were expected to coordinate their positions independently in advance of, or alongside, the talks. The meeting was presented as an opportunity to assess shared priorities rather than to launch a new institutionalized format for cooperation.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) likewise called for greater patience with the Merz administration. In comments published by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, she rejected suggestions that little had been achieved in recent months. As evidence of the government’s activity, she pointed to the adoption of budgets as well as major policy decisions in the fields of defense and infrastructure. Her intervention underscored the view that the administration had already taken a number of consequential steps despite criticism regarding the pace of progress.
The head of the CDU seeks to counter political pessimism
Merz further highlighted the importance of demonstrating that the federal government is capable of addressing and resolving the country’s major challenges. He argued that public confidence should be strengthened and advocated a more optimistic assessment of Germany’s current situation. In this context, he warned against excessively negative portrayals of national conditions, maintaining that narratives centered on decline and pessimism should be actively resisted. His remarks suggested that public perceptions of the country’s trajectory are an important element of the broader political debate.
The Chancellor also issued a stark warning regarding the prospect of strong AfD performances in the state elections scheduled for September in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt. According to Merz, the contests would serve as an important test of Germany’s future direction because the AfD was challenging principles and values that he argued had long contributed to the country’s success and stability. He therefore framed the elections not merely as regional political contests but as events carrying broader significance for the national political landscape.
The party conference also confirmed Daniel Peters as CDU Chairman in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania. Peters, 44, who is set to lead the party into the upcoming state election campaign, received 140 of the 144 votes cast. Four delegates voted against his reelection, resulting in a total of 97.2 percent support. The outcome represented a strong endorsement from party members and reaffirmed his position as the CDU’s leading figure in the state ahead of the next electoral contest.
Audio: TTSFree