A prominent wing of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the CDA, has voiced strong approval of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s foreign policy initiatives while simultaneously calling for significantly increased action on domestic issues.
Dennis Radtke, Chairman of the CDA, told publications of the Funke Media Group that Germany, under Merz’s leadership, has “returned to the Champions League” in terms of its international standing within the first 100 days. However, he stressed that the governing coalition must now demonstrate similar energy and deliver tangible results domestically in order to regain public trust.
Radtke indicated that recent policy reversals and debates – specifically referencing the handling of electricity taxes and judicial appointments – have overshadowed potentially positive initiatives. He cautioned against internal dissent within the CDU, urging colleagues to move beyond criticism and instead focus on providing strong leadership and a positive outlook.
Acknowledging the CDU’s recent electoral performance, Radtke suggested that calls for a return to a purely traditional CDU platform were unrealistic given the current political landscape. He emphasized the necessity of compromise and the importance of effectively communicating those compromises to the public, stating that “delivering solid work” would be sufficient at this time.