The Union relies on the warning of red-red-green.
But what is actually in the election program?
The most striking passages of the 140-page work at a glance.
The general election will take place on September 26th.
The CDU and CSU have also presented an extensive program.
The “government program” of the sister parties for the period after the Merkel era is 140 pages long.
The Greens delivered 272 pages of election program, the SPD 66 pages.
The Union focuses on reducing bureaucracy.
But there are also striking passages on migration, genetic engineering in agriculture and internal security.
We have summarized the most important things for you.
Munich - Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet (CDU) got into a skid in mid-August when asked about the three most important programmatic plans of the Union - the joint election program of the CDU and CSU should actually provide enough material for a full-length lecture: the work is 140 pages long entitled “The Program for Stability and Renewal”.
The tightrope act of the long-standing Chancellor's party is already palpable in the first sentences of the preamble: Do not go too hard with the results of 16 years of her own reign under Angela Merkel - and still spread a mood of departure and zest for action. One wants to "make the good better", you can read there. Each individual sub-chapter then begins with the word “new” - foreign policy issues are right at the front.
In this article we have summarized for you what the Union promises its voters - in addition to preventing a “left slide” - for the period after the federal election.
From “New Responsibility for the World” to retirement and improvement for abandoned stretches of land.
The plans of the CDU and CSU are to be believed to be successful without new debts.
At some critical points, however, the text reads heavily in clauses.
The Bavarian sister also presented its own program.
CDU and CSU: Laschet's election program starts with the topic of foreign policy
The foreign policy stipulations of the Union “government program” sounds a bit like a break with the Merkel era: “It is not enough just to react to crises,” it says. Unsurprisingly, the Union parties continue to rely on multilateralism and partnership with the USA. Somewhat more remarkable: Germany should "play a leading role in foreign and security policy" - and for this "use all instruments of our foreign, defense and development policy - including military ones, if necessary". A National Security Council in the Chancellery is supposed to help with forward-looking planning, which has been a stimulus since Afghanistan at the latest. NATO is also mentioned; The Union "acknowledges" the promised defense spending amounting to two percent of the federal budget and wants to strengthen the Bundeswehr.
China, Russia, Africa are mentioned separately - but the most surprising aspect with regard to China can only be found a few pages further, in the chapter "Europe": The Union wants to counter the "New Silk Road" of Beijing with a "European alternative", for example for transport connections in and to Eastern Europe. Africa is also in focus as the region of origin of migratory flows: "Over the course of the decade we want to enable the states and societies of Africa to fight terrorism themselves and with the help of the African Union and to ensure their own security," reads the program. In the subchapter “International Climate Protection to Preserve Creation”, the CDU and CSU urge that CO2 savings through programs in developing and emerging countries be included in the German climate balance sheet.
Electoral manifestation of the Union: CDU and CSU want to reposition the EU - and close the door on Turkey
Europe too - primarily the EU - has its own chapter in the Union program.
The most important demands of the Union here: majority decisions in foreign and security policy, improving European defense power in an “alliance of those willing to shape”, “long-term common European armed forces”, a European headquarters for EU missions - and the involvement of nations in the “ NATO Eastern Flank ".
Ukraine, for example, should be meant.
The CDU and CSU are cautious when it comes to the question of further EU enlargement: "Candidate countries must fully meet all accession criteria", it says with a view to the Western Balkan states, a full membership of Turkey, on the other hand, will "not exist" with the Union . In the event of violations of the rule of law - keyword Hungary and Poland - funds should be canceled and the right to vote withdrawn. Spicy: When appointing the top of the commission, the Union wants to push for the "top candidate principle". Currently the CDU politician Ursula von der Leyen is Commission President; She was not the top candidate in the European elections.
In addition, there should be hard rules in EU financial policy: strict deficit rules, no further joint borrowing - and “orderly procedures” for financial crises up to “state bankruptcy”. Controversial agreements such as CETA or the Mercosur deal are to be wrapped up. TTIP, the planned agreement with the USA, is to be tackled again and, according to the wish of the Union, “set ecological standards worldwide”. However, concrete content is not mentioned.
Banks should no longer be bailed out from tax revenues. And liabilities from the deposit protection fund should not be “communitized” through the EU countries. The EU should set "basic standards" for "workers' rights" for all member states - but there should not be joint health or retirement provision.
Migration, flight and asylum: the election plans of the CDU and CSU
Somewhat hidden in the “Europe” chapter, the CDU and CSU work on the topic of migration and asylum over at least four pages and in 18 bullet points.
Some key issues: The European border protection agency Frontex is to grow and expand into a “real border police force”, and entry at the external borders is to be “comprehensively electronically monitored”;
Data should be exchanged better and more easily - among other things, in order to “track” dangerous people.
At the same time it says: "We are committed to the fundamental right to asylum and the legal and humanitarian obligations of Germany and Europe". Immigration is “an opportunity” - but only if it takes place in an orderly manner, rules are observed and integration succeeds. "We are continuing our efforts to ensure that the number of people fleeing to Germany and Europe not only remains permanently low, but is also reduced," write the CDU and CSU. The Union mentions as means for this: definition of further “safe countries of origin” and “smaller safe countries of origin”; the latter should be able to be defined without the consent of the federal states. Tolerated persons should only be allowed to stay in Germany “under real integration requirements”.The parties are also picking up on the idea of “detention facilities” for deportations at airports.
The Union also wants to reform the EU's asylum policy.
Topics are: "Combating the causes of flight", reform of the asylum system with a central "fair" distribution of arriving refugees and asylum "decision-making centers" at the EU's external borders.
"New Prosperity": The Union's Economic and Tax Plans
When it comes to the economy, the Union is rhetorically in its element: the “decade of modernization” and an “unleashing package” are to come and put fewer obstacles in the way of the “hardworking, courageous and capable” than before.
The groups mentioned include the CDU and CSU, by the way, also the cultural and creative industries, some of which are still having a particularly difficult time in the pandemic.
The Union also praises the social market economy in this chapter.
When it comes to taxes, the CDU and CSU name several (more or less) specific demands. Including: No tax increases, no increase in ancillary wage costs over 40 percent, complete abolition of the solidarity surcharge (also for high earners). "Small and medium-sized incomes" are to be relieved of income tax. The spouse splitting is to remain, the "child splitting" is to come in perspective and the relief amount for single parents should rise to up to 5,000 euros. The saver lump sum is also expected to increase. Tax loopholes should be closed for multinational corporations. The Union also wants a financial transaction tax, but it should not burden small investors. According to the Union’s plans, the bottom line is that all of this works without new debt: the debt brake should remain.
Another demand that Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet liked to make: Less bureaucracy.
On the one hand, like the Greens, the Union wants to create a "year free of bureaucracy" for founders or to reduce statistical reporting requirements for entrepreneurs.
At the same time, a more pragmatic approach is to be taken with regulations, standards and the like in order to facilitate infrastructure or app developments.
Planning and approval (for example through networked authorities and a “tightening” of the collective action law) and the award of public contracts should also be carried out more quickly.
Laschet and Söder's election program: New limits for mini-jobs - and longer daily working hours?
In the German labor market, the CDU and CSU apparently want to rely on what is already there. There are two major exceptions: One is mini-jobs, here the income limit is to be raised to 550 euros. The other is working hours: Here, the maximum daily working hours should fall and be replaced by a weekly one, even if not in “dangerous” occupations. Work and service contracts should remain as well as temporary work and fixed-term employment relationships. New forms of work, such as “gigworking”, which have been observed with concern, should be “carefully monitored”.
The Union wants to get movement in the recruitment of skilled workers from abroad: Demands from the election program are for example "language and qualification programs" in other EU countries, an "improved" recognition of qualifications and active advertising, for example through the Goethe Institute or Germans Schools abroad.
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The two alpha masters of the Union: Armin Laschet and Markus Söder.
© Kay Nietfeld / dpa
CDU, CSU and climate: election program provides for higher CO2 prices
In the Union's election manifesto, the topic of “climate” is linked directly to the economic area: Germany should be greenhouse gas neutral by 2045; By 2030, the corresponding emissions are to be reduced by 65 percent compared to 1990, it is said. And: "We are relying on technologies and innovations", the plan for the coal phase-out should not be adjusted. The parties remain vague about the additional CO2 costs - it should be more expensive, that much is certain: "We want to tighten the growth path of CO2 pricing," write the CDU and CSU in flowery words.
Energy-related “taxes, surcharges and fees” are to be “geared more towards CO2 emissions”. At the same time, the Union is calling for a European emissions trading scheme in the heating and transport sector, a “Green New Deal” that relies on incentives and cooperation rather than bans. However, consequences are also demanded: "We want to establish and further strengthen sanction mechanisms for violations of sustainability and climate protection aspects," it also says. And, similar to the Greens, there is a financial promise to the citizens: “We will give the income from emissions trading back to the citizens and businesses in full by reducing electricity consumption.” Conservatives should, incidentally, also in future, according to the will of the conservatives Can see "at a glance",what CO2 balance a product has. The Union also wants to promote renewable energies. With a "solar package" and the promotion of "nature-friendly wind offshore and onshore".
Transport program of the Union: Against speed limit, for rail expansion - and slight skepticism of short-haul flights
The CSU has provided the transport minister since 2009.
Perhaps that is why the Union's electoral program relies on the tried and tested: The parties are against diesel driving bans and general speed limits on motorways.
"Modern traffic control" is better.
The Union also wants to preserve aviation, which has recently been badly shaken and viewed critically for climate reasons - as a "competitively priced mode of transport" and ideally with synthetic fuels: they should be exempt from taxes.
There should also be something new: More e-charging stations, for example in new commercial and public buildings.
The CDU and CSU do not comment specifically on short-haul flights, but there are indications of a move away: Rail connections to hubs are to be improved;
Overall, more is to be invested in the rail expansion.
By the way, air taxis are also mentioned in the program.
As an “increasingly realistic vision”.
Election program of the CDU and CSU: Agriculture - lots of wishes, explosive genetic engineering plans
Farmers have always been an important constituency for the Union. Correspondingly, there are some expressions of will to do good in the election manifesto - albeit very vague. It is said, for example, that they want to “reliably accompany” agriculture in the process of ecological change. There are plans for a “Animal Welfare Promotion Act”, the desire for “fair” supply chains and trade agreements, or the call for all areas of society to make contributions to the protection of bees. More clearly tangible: The Union is calling for European animal welfare labeling on food packaging.
Elsewhere, a closer look is required: In the controversial question of how to deal with wolves, the Union wants to enable "active wolf management" in some federal states - that is, the shooting of animals.
Another longer sub-point is explosive.
The CDU and CSU rely on “new molecular biological breeding technologies”, for which the “European legal framework” should be modernized.
In simpler terms: EU law is to be relaxed on the subject of genetic engineering in agriculture.
The CDU and CSU also mention nature conservation in Germany in their program.
However, without any very specific plans: soil sealing is to be “reduced”, a national biodiversity strategy and a climate adaptation law are to be presented.
Digitization in the Union program: plans from tax returns to care robots
Another big topic for the Union: "Everything that can become digital should become digital," says the program. For companies, for example, there is to be a “German company platform” as a central point of contact for all administrative services. Citizens should get a “personal wallet for all administrative processes” on their smartphones - as well as “digital identification tools, signatures and secure mailboxes”. A digital tax assessment has also been announced, and simple tax returns should even be able to be submitted in an app. In a new government with the participation of the Union, there should also be a fully-fledged "Federal Ministry for Digital Innovations and Transformation" - among other things, it should carry out a "Digital TÜV" for all new legislative plans.
The CDU and CSU also want to go into the digital offensive when it comes to consumer protection - here the program contains some concrete ideas. For example, “smart contracts” should allow compensation in the event of flight delays to be automatically transferred to the customer account without waiting. A “European identity” is intended to enable consumers to conduct official business and business online securely. The omnipresent cookie consent on the Internet should be simple. Another promise: By 2024, all "white spots" in cell phone coverage should disappear, and by 2025 a nationwide 5G network should be in place.
The Union also has high hopes for digitization in the health sector: robots and “smart home” products are intended to support the elderly and relieve care - the CDU and CSU are praising 500 million euros for this.
“Televisiten” and the “digital hospital” are intended to help with care in rural areas, among other things.
CDU and CSU in the election program: Pension and social issues - new "standard provision", old Hartz principle
A big pension promise of the Union: "Pension must enable a life in dignity". To this end, the sister parties want the pensioners to "reliably participate in the general income trend". For the self-employed, there should be an “obligation to provide for old age” (although the separate funds for doctors, architects and co. Are retained). There should also be innovations for employees: instead of the Riester offers, there should be a “standard pension product”. Anyone who works as an employee and does not actively object should automatically participate. “Non-bureaucratic funding” is promised. Company pension schemes are to be strengthened, also for low-wage earners.
“Demand and promote” was a motto from the Hartz years - the Union wants to hold on to it.
However, there should also be changes to the Hartz IV system: Young people should be able to earn more, and changes of residence should be forced less often.
Overall, the law relating to SGB II payments should become simpler and the recipients should be more “looked after”.
Another plan is formulated quite airily: In general, the “crediting of income” is to be adjusted in order to create more incentives to take up work.
Health in the Union's electoral program: New hospital plans, vague on the subject of care
The supply of medical offers, especially in rural areas, has recently been a major controversial topic. In its election manifesto, the Union promises to take greater account of the “objectives of needs-based and comprehensive basic and standard care” in hospital planning. Specialized offers should, however, be "bundled". Lessons from the pandemic can also be found: “Emergency capacities” are to be stored for important active ingredients, and Germany and Europe are to become more independent from other countries in the production of drugs and medical equipment. At least “one variant” of the corresponding products should therefore be manufactured in the EU.
When it comes to cannabis and the like, the position of the CDU and CSU is clear: “We reject the legalization of illegal drugs.” The position on statutory health insurance is also clear.
There are no plans to make major changes to the collection of contributions, for example.
In terms of care, the Union calls for the establishment of a federal care chamber and simplified budgets to support family care.
Nursing training should be free of school fees - also for foreign workers.
The CDU and CSU have formulated a remarkable sentence on the day-to-day work of the nursing staff without any concrete measures: Attractive working conditions are "important", it is said, "in particular a reliable design of duty rosters".
CDU and CSU: What the election program says on the subject of family and education
When it comes to education, the Union makes a promise: A person's origin should not determine their future prospects.
The CDU and CSU see a lever in language acquisition: They want compulsory language tests for children from the age of three - where there are deficiencies, there should be compulsory support.
The aim is for every elementary school child to be able to speak German before starting school.
The BAföG should also be gently “further developed” and, for example, enable master’s courses after the age of 35.
Parental leave is to be extended to 16 months - if both parents participate.
The Union wants to tackle the problem of unused services and automate payments for families as far as possible.
The CDU and CSU are also considering the gender pay gap: “Unacceptable income gaps” should be “addressed”.
Security: Union calls for more police presence - more capacities by reducing bureaucracy?
More police presence on streets and squares, but also on trains and at airports.
This should be made possible for the police, who are plagued by overflowing overtime accounts, by “relieving them of bureaucratic tasks”.
Attacks on police officers and other emergency services should be punished more severely.
The Union also wants to expand video surveillance - with the parties writing about "video protection".
For example, the CDU and CSU have in mind football stadiums and buses and trains.
"Serious criminals", threats and terrorists should also be caught using face recognition "at dangerous locations".
The Union would like to protect children and women better in the future. For example, data retention is to be positioned as the “sharpest weapon” in the fight against child pornography. At the same time, “child protection” should become a compulsory subject for all people who work with children professionally; Abusers should be excluded from professional and voluntary work with children through a lifelong entry in the extended certificate of good conduct. Misogyny acts should be recorded in separate police statistics; Victims of domestic and sexual violence should be able to have traces documented in a court-proof manner, even without ex officio investigations.
On the other hand, the Union also identifies criminal groups that are particularly to be combated: “Criminal clans” are to be “systematically disrupted” with recurring raids. When dealing with those at risk, the parties also think of the use of electronic shackles and preventive detention even for first-time offenders. At the same time, right-wing extremism remains the greatest threat to the open society. The CDU and CSU are specifically calling for, among other things, special police units to investigate "cold cases". But left-wing extremism, Islamism, anti-Semitism and hostility to Islam are also declaring war on the parties - as is “hatred and agitation on the Internet”. The sister parties announce a hard edge to young offenders: In the future, offenders between the ages of 18 and 21 will “as a rule” be punished like adults.
Renting and living and living in the country: The plans of the CDU and CSU
The CDU and CSU cannot avoid the issue of rent and housing either - the Union is against the rent cap.
Instead, she wants to set incentives for new residential construction.
The only new measures in the program are simplified approval procedures and tax advantages for owners of former agricultural land when building rental apartments;
Depreciation options are to be extended in rental housing construction.
The CDU and CSU want to promote densification in the cities.
At the same time, life in the country should become more attractive.
The Union is thinking, among other things, of better transport connections, investment allowances for companies to settle here and “home agencies” - they should inspire potential rural residents and skilled workers for regions away from the cities.
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