Election held at the state level. - The CDU is set to adopt the government program during its party conference.
The Saxony-based CDU aims to be the dominant political force in the state, even after their recent losses to the AfD in the European and municipal elections held on September 1st. In the words of the group's General Secretary, Alexander Dierks, "Our goal is to lead the state in the coming years, with Michael Kretschmer at the helm." This conviction stems from the belief that the CDU has the best plan for Saxony. Instead of focusing on resources in Brussels or Berlin, they will prioritize the needs of their own state. Dierks refused to comment on potential coalition partners, and there will be no coalition election campaign.
Scheduled for this Saturday in Löbau, the party conference is expected to include 200 delegates who will decide on the government program for the next legislative period, a document titled "For the Sake of Saxony." The CDU believes in an approach where citizens are involved in idea generation, rather than having policies imposed from above. The focus will be on Saxony's specific needs, rather than national political competition.
The Union also seeks to prioritize education, starting with a tuition-free final kindergarten year and greater emphasis on early childhood education. Rural areas will be strengthened through a performance-oriented infrastructure that supports medium-sized companies and craft businesses. Vocational education will continue to be upgraded. Additionally, the CDU intends to raise the master bonus from €2,000 to €4,000 and make master apprenticeships completely free for top performers in each year group.
Employment is another important issue, with the CDU stating their opposition to measures aimed at reducing working hours. Dierks criticized the concept of a "citizens' income" as harmful to incentives. As for internal security, they wish to more than double the number of civilian police officers to 800. Dierks also emphasized the need for "the police as a visible symbol of internal security in our country."
Regarding migration, the CDU calls for a Germany-wide upper limit of 60,000 people per year, which would equate to an acceptance of 3,000 refugees in Saxony. Stationary border controls should also be maintained. Over 100 proposed amendments are expected at the party conference.
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The CDU, hoping to regain strength in the upcoming state election in Saxony, is set to finalize its government program during the party conference in Löbau on Sunday. Despite losing ground to the AfD in recent local elections in Brussels and Dresden, the party aims to maintain its dominance in Saxony, with Michael Kretschmer as their leader. The CDU emphasizes the importance of focusing on Saxony's needs instead of resources in Brussels or Berlin.
In its government program, titled "For the Sake of Saxony," the CDU proposes tuition-free final kindergarten, greater emphasis on early childhood education, and strengthening rural areas by supporting medium-sized companies and craft businesses. Vocational education will also be upgraded, and the master bonus will be doubled for top performers in each year group.
Employment is another focus, with the CDU opposing measures aimed at reducing working hours and criticizing the concept of a "citizens' income." Internal security would be bolstered by doubling the number of civilian police officers to 800 and emphasizing the police as a visible symbol of internal security.
Regarding migration, the CDU advocates for a Germany-wide upper limit of 60,000 people per year, which equates to 3,000 refugees in Saxony. Stationary border controls should also be maintained. Over 100 proposed amendments are expected at the party conference.
The CDU, unlike some other parties, chooses to let citizens generate ideas for policies rather than have policies imposed from above. In the European and municipal elections, they faced challenges from the AfD, but they remain optimistic about their chances in the state election.
