At the beginning of the CDU party conference, Friedrich Merz finds strong words. In times of crisis like these, the party has to gain momentum in order to be able to give momentum to the country, according to the Union leader. The tenor of the party congress: The CDU could do better.
The CDU chairman Friedrich Merz sharply criticized the federal government at the beginning of the 35th party congress of the Union. At a time when a clear course and leadership are required, “our country is affording what is probably one of the weakest federal governments of all time,” said Merz in his opening speech in Hanover. “Germany can do better,” which is why the party congress came at the right time.
“We will talk about ourselves,” said Merz. But it is even more important to talk about the country and what a CDU-led government would do differently. The CDU was previously criticized for dealing too much with its own problems within the party instead of dealing with the energy crisis. “In order to give our country momentum, we have to give ourselves momentum,” says the CDU leader.
When Merz expresses the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, and the CDU’s support for the whole of Ukraine, it is acknowledged by the delegates with standing, minute-long applause. At a time when war is raging, nothing is desired more than peace, says the party leader.
The 35th party conference of the CDU will take place in Lower Saxony in the state capital of Hanover at the beginning of October in view of the upcoming state elections. The former CDU leader and Chancellor Angela Merkel did not come. She has apologized and sends greetings.