The Christian Social Union (CSU), Bavaria’s powerful conservative party, is preparing to distance itself from its coalition partners, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), ahead of a crucial New Year policy discussion in Seeon. A draft document, leaked to POLITICO, reveals a sharpened rhetoric and a push for a more assertive role within the fragile three-way government.
The document underscores a divergence in approaches to key issues, with the CSU directly challenging the SPD’s stance on immigration and economic policy. Notably, it explicitly rejects the mantra “no one is illegal” advocating for the enforced departure of individuals without residency permits. This positioning contrasts sharply with the SPD’s more socially liberal approach and risks intensifying existing tensions within the coalition.
The CSU’s internal briefing paints a picture of the party as the bedrock of stability and reason within the German political landscape. It self-identifies as “the political voice of reason, the stability anchor in the Bundestag and the engine of this federal government”. This assertion, however, is underpinned by a criticism of the current government’s performance, which the CSU attributes to the “ideological downward spiral” of the “traffic light” coalition – a reference to the colors of the SPD, CDU and Green parties.
A central theme emerging from the CSU’s critique is a perceived erosion of public trust in German democracy. The party argues that the combined impact of economic anxieties and societal polarization during the past few years has fundamentally weakened faith in the government’s ability to make effective decisions. This diagnosis links directly to the CSU’s own ambitions: positioning itself as a solution provider rather than a participant in perceived dysfunction.
Beyond domestic concerns, the draft document emphasizes Germany’s responsibility to lead within Europe, urging the nation to actively strengthen peace, freedom and security alongside its allies. This resonates with a broader sentiment within Germany – a desire for decisive action on the international stage, particularly in the light of ongoing geopolitical instability.
Perhaps most significantly, the CSU is signaling a clear shift in its policy priorities: a commitment to governing for the majority, rather than being dictated to by “ideological minorities”. This stance, intended to appeal to moderate voters, carries the implicit suggestion that the current government has become overly influenced by more progressive factions. The party confidently proclaims that Germany’s “comeback” has begun, a declaration that positions the CSU as a driving force in its realization and implicitly challenges the current government’s direction. While the CSU’s ambition to present itself as the unwavering voice of reason, it remains to be seen whether this calculated distancing will strengthen or further destabilize the already delicate coalition government.
