Dennis Radtke, chairman of the CDU’s employee wing, told a German media outlet that CDU leader and federal chancellor Friedrich Merz needs to steer the party’s social debate in a clearer direction.
He said that in recent weeks and months the discussions have been fragmented, with some proposals seeming “wild” and lacking coherence. Radtke added that this is one of the greatest challenges for Merz and that better coordination is urgently required.
Radtke also pointed out that while Merz has many other priorities-especially in foreign policy- he must delegate domestic issues better. “Politics is teamwork” he warned.
Instead of launching the debate from the party’s own social perspective, Radtke critiqued the CDU’s approach of kicking off with single‑issue suggestions, such as demanding that people work longer or cutting certain benefits. “That creates fear among the people and risks alienating large segments of the electorate” he said.
He emphasized that communication is almost as important as the reforms themselves. Radtke complained that the current discourse is “shocking and alarmist” and lacks a positive future narrative, a deficiency he also sees in Merz’s own speech.
For years Radtke has been dissatisfied with how the CDU handles social policy. He noted the perception that the SPD is seen as caring for workers and social matters, while the CDU is viewed as addressing “the rest”. This image has hardened in public opinion, weakening the party’s social profile and hurting its standings in polls.