For the first time, the CSU is trying a virtual party conference. It demands tax cuts - but remains guilty of information. Sebastian Kurz also wants to be harnessed.
- The CSU is holding its Small Party Congress on Friday (May 22) - for the first time purely virtual because of the corona pandemic.
- Speeches by party leader Markus Söder (5.20 p.m.) and Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (6.20 p.m.) are planned.
- We will keep you up to date in the evening in this news ticker.
Munich - The CSU is experiencing a novelty on Friday: For the first time, the party is holding a party conference virtually . The highlight should nevertheless be a speech by party leader Markus Söder . However, he is not speaking in front of a well-filled hall - but in a camera in his office on the top floor of the Munich party headquarters. Scheduled to be connected also Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP). Another is missing: CDU boss Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer .
CSU party congress online: tax cuts demanded - "No time for left-wing fantasies"
In terms of content, of course, the focus should be on the corona pandemic . In a lead motion , the authors provide a number of proposals to deal with the crisis. Called about tax cuts that will help to stimulate the economy. "Make Germany strong - learn from Corona and grow" is the motto from the CSU party leadership.
As a relief program for Germany, the CSU specifically requests a reduction in corporate tax , improved depreciation options for investments and expanded loss offsetting options. "There is now no place for anti-business fantasies of left ideologues," the paper says - "and it is not the time for tax increases either."
CSU party conference: Söder calls for an "upper limit" for Corona aid - open funding of your own ideas
In addition, the CSU wants to consider the topic of jobs : "In addition to the successful short-time model * to preserve millions of existing jobs, we also want to provide incentives for the creation of new jobs. In addition, we want to raise the earnings limit in the mini-job area to 600 euros per month and permanently link it to wage developments. ”
The CSU also wants to renegotiate the abolition of the solidarity surcharge with the CDU and SPD . In contrast to Söder's earlier statements, the application does not name the complete or rapid abolition as a clear goal.
However , the application leaves open how much money the ten packages of measures mentioned should cost or how they can be financed. An interesting fact - also in view of the fact that Söder called for an "upper limit" for Corona aid packages in the ZDF "Morgenmagazin" on Friday . The state should "not just distribute money". He also excluded Corona Bonds * again.
Virtual CSU party congress: Söder's proposal causes upset in the Union
During a small media tour before the party congress on Friday morning, Söder was not only seen on ZDF, but also on the radio station Bayern2. Söder's statements were largely the same. In an interview with Merkur * in Munich, also published on Friday, Söder also commented on the subject of corona vaccination.
However, the proposals certainly caused debate and explosives. In an interview with the BR, for example, Söder spoke in favor of tourism vouchers with a view to vacation opportunities in Germany * . "There is tax deductibility and there is the direct one. This could also include, for example, making travel significantly cheaper, ie giving train vouchers, giving public transport vouchers," he emphasized.
Another country head from the ranks of the Union had already reacted to this mental game with rejection. The situation in the Corona crisis was "so serious and sensitive that we should concentrate on the absolutely necessary things," said Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) to the newspapers of the Funke media group. Holiday vouchers were not among these priorities. For his part, Kretschmer delivered another little bang - in the form of a specific date for the return to regular schooling in Saxony.
CSU tries party congress online: Söder expects "insights" - this is the schedule
It also remains to be seen how confidently the CSU will deal with the challenges of the virtual major meeting . 250 delegates should be there, the number of spectators could be much higher. The Greens - who were the first Bundestag party to try the concept - saw some bizarre scenes.
Söder commented on this in BR "without malice", as he emphasized. These are difficulties that can arise when using new instruments. He also expected exciting "insights" on Friday evening: "At these video conferences, you can see sensational insights into the living room and offices, what is standing and lying there."
The start of the Internet party conference is on Friday at 5 p.m. Markus Söder should speak at 5.20 p.m., shortly at 6.30 p.m. We will then keep you up to date in the news ticker . Streaming is also available.
fn / AFP / dpa
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network .