Politics · Germany · 8 hrs ago
CDU leaders issue five-page response after election defeats
The leaders of Germany’s state governments run by the CDU wanted the party to change course after election defeats in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
They discussed possible changes involving Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the party leadership and the government’s policies.
The outcome was a five-page document titled “What must happen now.”
It calls for people to be able to afford daily life, for fairness and for people to feel safe.
It also includes proposals such as lowering electricity tax.
The commentary argues that these measures do not amount to a major change, and that the document leaves both government personnel and policy unchanged.
It says the response may not be enough to address the party’s election losses.
The document does not set out further steps.
CDU state premiers sought a change of course after election defeats in eastern Germany, but a five-page response did not change government personnel or policy.
The document was titled “What needs to happen now.”
The paper was discussed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, his secretary-general, the parliamentary group leader, state party leaders and state premiers.
It proposed measures including a lower electricity tax and said the party wanted life to remain affordable, fair and safe.
A Handelsblatt commentary said the response did not address the party’s broader problems.
- Who
- CDU state premiers and other party leaders, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- What
- They produced a five-page paper after election defeats, calling for action but not changing government personnel or policy.
- When
- The article was published on October 12, 2026; the paper followed election defeats, whose dates are not stated.
- Where
- Berlin.
- Why
- The CDU leaders wanted a change of course after election defeats in eastern Germany.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
CDU state premiers considered and called for changes after election defeats in eastern Germany.
CDU leaders discussed a five-page paper in Berlin.
Handelsblatt published a commentary criticizing the paper.
- Paper length
- Five pages
- Paper title
- What needs to happen now
- Proposed tax measure
- Lower electricity tax
- Election locations
- Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Publication date
- October 12, 2026
What people are saying
What needs to happen now
Tariff adjustment with minor changes
Sources
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