Politics · Germany · 13 hrs ago
CDU local leaders voice growing anger at Merz and Berlin party leadership
CDU local leaders say trust in the party leadership is falling, with some criticizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The complaints come from local party officials in Thüringen and Brandenburg, as well as other parts of Germany.
More than 100 local politicians are due to meet in Berlin for two days, including planned talks with Merz and CDU General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann.
Some officials say recent election losses in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin show the party is in serious trouble.
A Brandenburg leader says members are leaving over dissatisfaction with federal policy, while another has raised separating the chancellor’s job from leading the party.
Local leaders want the federal leadership to deliver results, and one warned that ignoring voters’ concerns could help populists.
The meeting is the next chance for local officials to press their concerns directly with the party leadership.
CDU local leaders from several German states say trust in the party’s Berlin leadership is falling.
More than 100 local politicians are due to meet for two days at the Konrad Adenauer House from Monday.
Hannes Raebel, head of the CDU in Weimarer Land, says he has very little confidence in the Berlin leadership.
Local leaders cite election defeats, dissatisfaction with federal policy and party resignations as reasons for their concern.
Some call for more direct talks with party leaders, while Désirée Schrade raises separating the chancellor’s job from the party chairmanship.
- Who
- CDU local leaders, including Hannes Raebel, Christian Herrgott, Désirée Schrade and Christian Große.
- What
- Local leaders voiced frustration with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the CDU leadership in Berlin.
- When
- The article was published on 1 November 2026; a two-day meeting was planned to start Monday.
- Where
- The meeting is planned at the Konrad Adenauer House in Berlin. The leaders quoted are from Thuringia and Brandenburg.
- Why
- They cited election defeats, dissatisfaction with federal policy, declining trust and noticeable party resignations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
CDU local leaders cited election defeats in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin as a source of concern.
More than 100 local politicians were due to gather at the Konrad Adenauer House for two days and meet Merz and CDU Secretary-General Franziska Hoppermann.
- Meeting
- More than 100 local politicians
- Venue
- Konrad Adenauer House, Berlin
- Planned duration
- Two days
- Hannes Raebel
- CDU chair in Weimarer Land
- Désirée Schrade
- CDU district chair in Frankfurt (Oder)
- Christian Große
- CDU district chair in Potsdam-Mittelmark
What people are saying
I have very little trust in the Berlin leadership now.
The people responsible have been elected; now they need to finally get something done.
There are already noticeable resignations.
Citizens will notice that municipalities can no longer carry out their responsibilities.