Dennis Radtke, head of the CDU’s employee wing (CDA), urged the party to change its course at the federal party convention. Speaking to the news portal T‑Online about debates over “lifestyle part‑time” and dental‑care costs, Radtke said the current debate style is harmful to the CDU. “We are experiencing a lot of fragmented communication right now. An assortment of random proposals never produces a coherent plan” he added.
Radtke criticised the “cacophony of individual proposals” that has given the impression that all burdens are being shifted onto workers. “That is a completely fatal impression” he warned. He argued that most people are directly affected by social reforms, so it is crucial how we discuss them and from which perspective we shape these reforms.
He cautioned against leaving the role of “advocate for employees” entirely to the SPD while the CDU positions itself solely as a business‑friendly party. “We are a mass party and must not only see the full spectrum, but also represent it” Radtke said. He called for a broad reform package and noted that reform commissions should put forward proposals, but “we must ultimately bring these debates together content‑wise and communicatively”.
