Guido Heuer, a member of the CDU state parliament and former faction leader in Saxony-Anhalt, has announced that he will not follow his party’s line during the upcoming Minister-President election in December. Speaking to the portal “Nius,” Heuer stated that the CDU faction had previously decided to abstain by collectively leaving the plenary hall if Ulrich Siegmund (AfD) was elected. However, Heuer considers this action incorrect, arguing that leaving the chamber constitutes a “pre-determination” and is equivalent to openly admitting abstention. “I will not leave the hall,” Heuer insisted. He declined to specify how he would vote in the secret ballot, stating that he would not make a declaration regarding his decision, even after the vote has taken place.
Heuer also criticized the intense public outcry following the secret election of Tobias Rausch (AfD) as the state parliament president. In his view, because the election was conducted secretly, it does not need to be re-examined. Instead, he argues that the CDU must focus on its own internal issues, noting that the party currently faces an “absolute credibility problem” with the public.
In terms of political strategy, Heuer expressed resistance to the Union’s existing “firewall” policy. He argued that the Union needs “a policy of red lines” rather than a physical wall. Although he maintains that a coalition or tolerance of the AfD is currently out of the question, Heuer affirmed that the CDU must be prepared to cooperate with shifting majorities on specific policy matters, and he stresses that a minority government cannot be prohibited.
Following the CDU’s defeat in Saxony-Anhalt, Heuer demands a comprehensive “personal and thematic fresh start” for the state association. He is also critical of the role played by Chancellor and CDU national chairman Friedrich Merz. “We are all aware of Friedrich Merz’s poll ratings. And we also all know that the tailwind from Berlin was not a real tailwind,” he stated. Nevertheless, he warned against assigning all responsibility solely to the national party, insisting that the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt must first undertake a personal turnaround.
