A few weeks before the state election in Baden-Württemberg on March 8, CDU leader Manuel Hagel warned his party against continuing to engage in thoughtless debates.
When speaking to the “Rheinische Post” on Saturday, Hagel dismissed proposals that would restrict part‑time work or privatise dental‑care costs as “complete nonsense”. He added that he would not “blow people’s minds” with such careless remarks, calling the approach counterproductive and undermining the willingness to tackle real reforms.
Hagel went on to say that Christian Democrats possess the greatest economic competence, yet the suggestions from the Mittelstandsunion (Small‑ and Medium‑Sized Business Union) or the Wirtschaftsrat (Economic Council) are not constructive. He stressed that the party remains “the party for workers”.
