A growing sense of unease is reportedly permeating within the ranks of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, according to Deputy Parliamentary Group Chairman for Economic and Energy Policy, Sepp Müller. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Müller expressed concern over a perceived drift from campaign promises, specifically the commitment to upholding the debt brake and the more assertive, proactive approach previously championed by Carsten Linnemann.
Müller, representing the state of Saxony-Anhalt, highlighted a growing awareness of the potential for fragmentation within the center-right political bloc. He suggested that in eastern Germany, the realization that the current trajectory risks causing disunity has been apparent for some time. Saxony-Anhalt faces a state election in September of next year and anxieties exist within the CDU/CSU regarding the possibility of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) gaining sufficient support to govern alone-currently polling around 30%.
Following internal resistance to the selection of law professor Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf for constitutional judge appointments, resulting in the failure to elect three judges, Müller urged the parliamentary group leadership to be more attuned to the preferences of its members. He cautioned that the era of unchallenged dominance, reminiscent of the long-standing leadership of Volker Kauder, is over.
Furthermore, the “Junge Gruppe” (Young Group), comprised of MPs under the age of 35, is advocating for the implementation of promised reforms. Pascal Reddig, Chairman of the Junge Gruppe, emphasized that the expectation of extended tenures and leisurely pursuit of objectives has evaporated. He pointed to comments made during the election campaign, suggesting this election represented a “last chance” for the existing party system and that reforms should be pursued with urgency given the current unpredictable times.
