Dennis Radtke, the head of the Christian Democratic Workers’ Association (CDA), has expressed alarm over a dangerous erosion of public trust in politics, particularly among working people. He characterized the CDU’s defeat in the Sachsen-Anhalt election not merely as a setback, but as “a historical defeat for the CDU and the political center in Germany” with long-lasting consequences. The CDA chief emphasized that they are facing a widespread crisis of confidence as a party, as a governing body, and within the democratic rule of law, and cautioned against proceeding with business as usual.
Radtke warned that the recent election results demonstrated a profound threat, noting that the transition of the state chancellery in Sachsen-Anhalt to a potentially right-extremist party was “epochal in a negative way.” He pointed out that the rise of the AfD was fueled by multiple anxieties, including fear of economic decline and the inability of people to maintain their financial stability.
Addressing the coming political landscape, Radtke urged the ruling coalition to dramatically strengthen the planned tax relief for citizens, arguing that the current proposals fell far short of what was necessary. He insisted that at minimum, “cold progression”-which he described as the “expropriation of citizens through the back door”-must be rectified by 2027, a measure he noted had been successfully adopted by previous governments.
To finance these crucial tax cuts, Radtke advocated for a bolder reduction in state subsidies and financial aid. He highlighted that governmental aid to various industries and companies totaled approximately 78 billion euros annually according to subsidy reports, claiming there was significant room for budget savings. He also suggested that eliminating the third tier of the parental pension could yield five billion euros alone. Furthermore, he demanded an overhaul of the inheritance tax system to prevent billions in wealth from being transferred tax-free, urging his party to address these loopholes more decisively.
He also strongly opposed any planned cuts to housing benefits (Wohngeld), stressing that the benefit scheme is far from a minor issue. Noting that 44% of recipients were families and 52% were elderly people, Radtke warned that reductions would disproportionately harm low-income families and pensioners, particularly regarding heating costs.
Finally, regarding pension reform, Radtke proposed establishing a new protection pension for individuals whose health prevents them from continuing their long-term profession. This model would allow members to retire without deductions up to two years earlier after 35 years of coverage and a health assessment. However, while supporting the reform, he stressed that changes should not be implemented with excessive force, arguing that those nearing retirement require confidence and reliable transition periods.
