The leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Bavarian Minister-President, Markus Söder, outlined the top priorities of the Union in an interview with the Welt am Sonntag. Söder emphasized the need to address three key issues: the migration turnaround, the strengthening of the German Armed Forces and the relaunch of the economy.
To stimulate the economy, Söder suggested reducing energy costs by lowering network charges and the electricity tax, as well as introducing an industrial electricity price. He also emphasized the need for a significant reduction in bureaucracy, fewer documentation obligations, the abolition of the Supply Chain Act and a significant limitation of the right of associations to file lawsuits, stating that non-governmental organizations should not be able to block investments any further.
The CSU leader reaffirmed the party’s intention to abolish the citizen’s basic income and the Heating Act. He also mentioned the need for a large investment package for research and technology, space and aeronautics, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Söder outlined a plan for the use of the 500 billion euro special fund for infrastructure, stating that the first priority would be investments in local communities, including hospitals, kindergartens and schools. The second priority would be to upgrade and improve rail, road and bridge infrastructure, particularly in the direction of Poland and the Czech Republic, to create better connections. The third priority would be to invest in future technologies to drive further growth.
The billions of euros would be invested in several tranches, Söder explained, likening the fund to a shield for the country. The total sum is allocated over a period of twelve years, with up to 150 billion euros to be spent in the first four years and many billions to be freed up through savings simultaneously.