Wiebke Winter, the chair of the CDU group in the Bremen state parliament, told Politico that she expects a decisive victory for party leader Friedrich Merz at the upcoming CDU party conference. “I am sure it will be over 90 percent” she said.
Winter praised Merz’s performance as chancellor, saying he is doing “very good work” and that he is providing strong support for Germany in foreign affairs. “He is the right chancellor for Germany and the right party leader for the CDU” she added. While she acknowledges that criticism within the party is permitted, she is confident that the conference will endorse Merz unequivocally.
In announcing her own candidacy for the CDU presidency, Winter highlighted a priority on generational equity. She said that in the coming years many major decisions will need to be made, especially concerning pensions. “We need to see the bold reforms that the pension system truly requires” she said. At the same time, she committed to continuing her advocacy for climate protection, noting that she is the national deputy chair of the Climate Union-a role that she described as “both” one.
When asked about potential future coalitions, Winter expressed openness to partnering with the Greens, SPD, or FDP. “But a strong Union is the priority” she stressed. “I am not campaigning for a coalition”.
Back home in Bremen she called for a change of government, noting that “after more than 75 years of SPD rule, it is not going well”. She said it is time for the CDU to take over the city hall. Whether she herself will run as the flagship candidate will be decided in the coming weeks.
