Franziska Hoppermann, the General Secretary of the CDU, announced a new strategy aimed at reversing the loss of trust both among the party members and the wider public. Speaking to the Funke Media Group newspapers, she stated, “The priority now is to regain trust through seriousness and honesty.” She emphasized the necessity of listening closely to the party and communicating in coordination with its various components, noting that the public also strongly desires seriousness and credibility.
In an effort to reconnect with the party’s base, Hoppermann intends to open up the party structure further. She confirmed that she will be reintroducing the conferences of district chairpersons later this year. Her plan involves being present locally, engaging directly with members and volunteers, and making a strong contribution to the upcoming state election campaigns.
While expressing confidence in her ability to handle the new role-saying, “I can also take on attacks, and I will be clear with political opponents”-she acknowledged that the public is looking for something specific: they want responsible politicians to genuinely understand what is happening in ordinary life. Drawing on her 20 years of local politics experience, Hoppermann stressed the importance of concrete issues, such as “How do we make the school route safe? How do we preserve the weekly market? Again: you have to listen to the people.”
Furthermore, Hoppermann defended the communication style of Federal Chancellor Merz, which has been debated within parts of the party. She argued that Merz communicates differently from his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, being “direct and authentic.” She highlighted that in personal interactions, Merz is highly attentive, listens intensely, and shows genuine interest in those he is speaking to. According to Hoppermann, Merz is an “extremely empathetic person” who is capable of showing sympathy when terrible things happen, such as the Islamist attack on the CSD in Berlin.
