Concern is growing within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) following recent polling data which indicates declining support for the party and the governing coalition. Dennis Radtke, head of the CDU’s worker’s wing, warned of a potential squeeze between the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the left-wing Die Linke, in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. He described the current polling figures for the coalition as “dramatic.
According to current projections, a national election held today would likely result in the CDU/SPD coalition losing its majority in the Bundestag. Radtke highlighted a concerning trend, noting that Germany is increasingly resembling the political landscape of France, with a growing number of state parliaments where the governing parties lack a majority. Dismissing the current situation as solely a consequence of the 2015 refugee crisis or the coronavirus pandemic would be “not only wrong, but dangerous” he stated.
With municipal elections scheduled for North Rhine-Westphalia, the country’s most populous state, in five weeks, Radtke pointed to a significant decline in CDU support compared to the last local elections in the region. He cautioned against complacency, stating that the perception of widespread enthusiasm for the party is inaccurate.
Radtke is urging the CDU to re-evaluate its political direction, calling for a clearer emphasis on external security, internal security and social security. While acknowledging the Chancellor’s success in restoring Germany’s international standing, he expressed a desire for a more positive and forward-looking narrative domestically. He argued that the promise of social mobility that solidified Germany’s democracy after World War II has largely eroded over the past two decades.
Addressing issues of affordability, Radtke noted the challenges faced by young professionals in accessing homeownership and the increasing financial burden on the middle class. He warned that a failure to address these concerns risks driving voters towards Die Linke, who, despite offering ineffective solutions, have successfully highlighted these issues.
He also identified the AfD’s appeal as stemming not only from its focus on migration, but also from a broader anti-establishment sentiment and a sense of political and cultural alienation among working-class voters. While acknowledging the historical failings of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in this regard, Radtke expressed a determination for the CDU to capitalize on this discontent.
Radtke advocates for a renewed focus on housing policy, proposing measures such as tax incentives for company-owned housing, a reduction in building regulations and the implementation of rent-to-own models similar to those used in Austria, as potential solutions.