CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann has assured Friedrich Merz of support ahead of the party congress in Stuttgart. Despite poor poll numbers and discontent within the party, delegates expect a strong re-election of the chancellor as party leader. The congress will also address controversial issues like a social media ban.
The CDU federal party congress takes place on Friday and Saturday in Stuttgart, where Friedrich Merz, chancellor for one year, will stand for re-election as party chairman. This is the first such election since he took office. One year after the Bundestag election on February 23, 2025, which became necessary after the collapse of the Ampel coalition in November 2024, the Union-SPD coalition and the chancellor are facing poor poll numbers and no majority.
Merz, 70 years old, received around 95 percent in his first election in 2022 and around 90 percent in 2024. Abstentions count as invalid votes in the CDU. During a hall tour, he acknowledged: "some dissatisfaction and some criticism." Linnemann assured after consultations of the top committees: "We will strengthen his back in incredibly difficult times." He did not specify percentages.
Around 1000 delegates will review a 400-page motion book. Votes include a social media ban supported by Merz and a sugar tax on sodas opposed by the party leadership. The executive proposes that building applications be deemed approved after three months without response.
Surprisingly, Angela Merkel will attend the first day; she rarely appears at party events. Merz demands discipline and has restricted alcohol service during sessions. The congress includes 1001 delegates, 1400 guests, and over 500 media representatives. The oldest delegate is Heinz Riesenhuber (90), the youngest Nico Grosse (22).
In Baden-Württemberg, where elections are on March 8, Manuel Hagel (37) sees tailwind from the federal CDU.
