Mecklenburg-Vorpommern CDU Continues State Party Conference – Merz Announced, Peters to be Confirmed

The focus of the party conference is a new election program, which was adopted the previous day after about three hours of debate with one vote against and one abstention. The 127-page program is more than twice as long as the draft for the 2021 state election. The core is a nine-point plan adopted on Friday, which is intended to be binding in possible coalition negotiations.

The Election Program: Nine-Point Plan and New Priorities

Programmatically, the CDU announces, among other things, an additional 20 million euros per year for the digitalization of companies and a 3,000 euro apprentice bonus for successfully completed vocational training in crafts, nursing, or gastronomy. Furthermore, the program includes a ban on gender-neutral language in schools and public administration, as well as a so-called democracy clause, according to which NGOs and associations must in writing affirm the free democratic basic order to receive state funding.

A motion by the Schwerin CDU district association to remove the word "Politikwechsel" (policy change) from the program title did not find a majority at the party conference. The title therefore remains. The programmatic orientation, it was stated from within the party, is intended to mark a clear change from the previous state government.

In terms of content, Peters sharply criticized the coalition of SPD and Left Party in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which has been in office for four and a half years. He warned against a continuation of this alliance and said in a preliminary discussion with Deutschlandfunk that the frustration of the hardworking middle class is not a coincidence, but the result of four and a half years of red-red policy. Trust must be regained through good policy, Peters continued.

Attack on the State Government and Regulatory Policy Accents

Peters also advocated for the defense industry as an opportunity for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The state party sees this as a future economic field. Torsten Renz, a member of the state parliament, described Peters as a top candidate who stands precisely for the policy change the party is striving for.

Peters himself draws a clear regulatory policy framework in his programmatic speech: "The party must continue on the path of diligence, decency, and democracy," he said. He also demanded: "The performance principle must return to society as a whole." Both statements were broadcast on Deutschlandfunk.

Expected Appearance of Federal Chancellor Merz

Following Peters' re-election in the morning, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected in Linstow later in the day. He is scheduled to speak to about 170 delegates. The state party associates the appearance with the hope for federal political tailwind in the state election campaign, in which the CDU is currently far behind its previous results according to polls.

Currently, a coalition of SPD and Left Party governs Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The next state election is considered a central mood test for the federal party and the recently appointed Federal Chancellor Merz. Observers also view the party conference in Linstow as a status check for the state party ahead of this election.