Stuttgart Party Congress: Unity and a Clear Message
At the CDU party congress in Stuttgart in 2026 the Christian Democrats presented a united front under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The gathering was marked by a reconciliatory moment with former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who attended for the first time since 2021 and received warm applause. Merz was re-elected as party leader with 91.17 percent of the vote, a stronger result than in the past, underlining internal party support.
CSU leader Markus Söder publicly praised Merz and promised the CSU’s backing in government, stressing the Union’s parliamentary strength against the SPD. The tone at the congress combined optimism, calls for reform, and a firm stance on the party’s core principles.
Key Decisions and Policy Positions
The Stuttgart congress adopted several concrete policy positions that shape the CDU’s agenda. These decisions signal the party’s priorities on fiscal discipline, social policy, and law-and-order questions, and sometimes conflict with the governing coalition’s plans.
| Issue | CDU Position from Stuttgart |
|---|---|
| Debt brake | Opposition to any further loosening; reaffirmed fiscal restraint despite coalition talks about changes through 2025 |
| Minimum wage | Support for exceptions in agriculture, a point that contrasts with the SPD’s declaration the minimum wage is untouchable |
| Capital income contributions | Rejected proposals to introduce contributions on capital income |
| Cannabis legalization | Demanded a reversal of the cannabis legalization measures |
| These choices illustrate the CDU’s focus on middle-class voters, fiscal conservatism, and cautious social reform. | |
Coalition tensions
Some resolutions are directly at odds with coalition partners, creating tensions inside the federal government. The congress deliberately placed markers against further softening of the debt brake and other coalition proposals, signalling that the CDU intends to protect its platform even while in government.
Leadership, Messaging and Europe
Friedrich Merz used the event to defend the government’s work and to call for optimism and decisive reforms. He emphasized a value-based but realistic approach to Europe, and the need for stronger defence capabilities. Merz also drew a sharp distinction from the AfD, condemning it for cronyism and calling it a ’grandiose self-service’ for insiders.
Generalsecretary and reform tone
Generalsecretary Carsten Linnemann reiterated the party’s commitment to social-state reform without raising taxes. The CDU framed itself as a responsible governing party that prioritizes the middle class, economic stability, and pragmatic reforms.
Criticism and expectations
Despite high-profile support, critics called for faster and more visible results from the government. Observers noted Merz’s promise of ’top performance’ from his cabinet and urged that citizens should soon feel the effects of the promised reforms.
Electoral Risks and Expert Views
Experts at and after the congress warned about the CDU’s place in an evolving three-party landscape: Union, AfD, and a left bloc of SPD/Left. Political analyst Lutz Meyer argued that unavailability rules for cooperation with AfD and the Left make absolute majorities more difficult and can create strategic dilemmas ahead of key state elections in 2026.
Meyer warned that where the AfD is particularly strong, a strict anti-AfD stance risks splitting the anti-AfD vote unless voters choose the CDU. Other voices, like Frank Stauss, firmly rejected any rapprochement with the AfD. The congress underlined that the CDU intends to maintain a clear distance from the right-wing AfD while navigating electoral risks.
What Comes Next: Timeline and Priorities
After Stuttgart the CDU signalled clear next steps: push for social reforms with a deadline set by the party leadership, keep pressure in coalition talks to protect fiscal rules, and prepare for regional elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate in 2026. The party aims to combine responsible governance with an optimistic, reform-focused message.
- Implement social reforms with the aim of measurable results by the end of 2026, as urged by Merz.
- Defend the debt brake and resist proposals to loosen fiscal rules through 2025.
- Oppose new contributions on capital income and seek a rollback of cannabis legalization measures.
- Navigate coalition disputes over minimum wage exceptions and other social policies.
- Prepare electoral strategy for 2026 state elections, particularly where AfD is gaining ground.
The Stuttgart congress made the CDU’s priorities clear: presenting the party as a confident governing force committed to fiscal discipline, social reform without tax increases, stronger defence and a values-based Europe. How these priorities play out in coalition negotiations and in the coming elections will shape the CDU’s role in German politics throughout 2026.
