Enlarge image
Bernd Althusmann, state chairman of the CDU Lower Saxony: "We have to become more interesting, especially for women."
Photo:
Christophe Gateau / dpa
In 2018 Angela Merkel withdrew from the CDU chairmanship, since then there has been little consistency in this post.
Will it now be the third candidate to fight for leadership of the party in three years?
Lower Saxony's CDU state chief Bernd Althusmann does not rule this out.
“It would undoubtedly be advantageous if the CDU could agree on a candidate.
I don't see that yet, ”he told the editorial network Germany (RND).
A member survey would be an important option, said the CDU executive committee member.
The "inner party rift since 2018" must be overcome quickly.
The board of directors will decide on the procedure on November 2nd.
The party and parliamentary group chairmanship do not have to be in one hand, as in Merkel's time, especially since the breadth of the party would then be more recognizable, said Althusmann.
"The parliamentary group will be the new powerhouse of the Union because it is the opponent in parliament vis-à-vis the federal government." The SPD, Greens and FDP are currently negotiating the formation of a traffic light government, the CDU would then be in the opposition.
Althusmann rejects a dual leadership with equal representation.
"I'm not a fan of dual leadership." But the party needs more young people and women.
The membership structure does not reflect the reality of society.
»75 percent of the CDU members are men over 60 years of age.
We have to become more interesting, also and especially for women, and perhaps also appear a little more personable. "
Althusmann also advocated the Junge Union's proposal for a "Union Council" as a mediating body between the CDU and the CSU.
The rift between Laschet and CSU boss Markus Söder over the candidacy for chancellor shows that a clear procedure and better integration of the grassroots are imperative.
"The severely disturbed relationship between the two Union parties needs new trust."
Junge Union insists on membership decision
The chairman of the Junge Union, Tilman Kuban, insisted in the »Welt« on a membership decision to appoint a new party chairman.
"If the CDU wants to be a modern people's party and attractive to new, young members, it needs a member survey now." advertise.
The failed Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet announced at the beginning of October that he would be relinquishing the chairmanship of the party.
His goal was to decide on his successor by "consensus" in order to find a permanent solution and to end the "constant staff debates".
After Merkel's withdrawal, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer prevailed in an internal party vote against Jens Spahn and Friedrich Merz in 2018.
She resigned from her post in January of this year.
Laschet then prevailed as her successor against Merz and Norbert Röttgen.
The former Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU) has now demanded that his party take time for a new basic program.
Two to three years are realistic, said the deputy Union parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag, the "Rheinische Post".
"A quick shot, the focus of which would then rather be dealing with the past or working through a traffic light coalition, would be a missed opportunity." An intensive discussion about the core and principles of the party is necessary.
aar / dpa