The first candidate debate of the CDU for Merkel successor device to a celebration of diversity and togetherness in the party. Especially Kramp-Karrenbauer and Merz. Christoph Strack reported from Lübeck, Germany.
Ex-Union parliamentary leader Friedrich Merz, Secretary-General, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Minister of health, Jens Spahn
“This process of the party is doing well. Since the departure, and the joy is in the debate”, says Jens Spahn, when you go Out from the hall. More than three hours, the three candidates for the Merkel successor in the CDU leadership in Lübeck have been about 900 party members from the North of Germany, to answer questions, and their views of the party delivered. The Minister of health Spahn, the former General Secretary Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, pages-returners, Friedrich Merz. With openness, seriousness, and occasional armed, as it was in Merkel’s party for a long time. “A fantastic start”, says Daniel Günther, Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein and tonight host.
The kick-off surprised. Lot “AKK”, as the General Annegret Kramp-karrenbauer, usually called the first speaker. One of the focuses of your ten-minute speech on the question of refugee policy. And enlists, in the spring of the events of the autumn of 2015 – the recording of many hundreds work thousands of people in Germany and to ensure that “never again”.
Distance to Merkel
It is not the only issue on the distance to the outgoing party Chairman. None of the other two candidates, a goes to the beginning of the topic. Merz focuses on Foreign and European policy and a strong rule of law, also Spahn emphasized the rule of law and security, and advertises aggressively to the next generation.
The CDU makes the uncertainty over a larger candidate number is the virtue of a show running. Within 16 days, the three will meet seven more times. From Lübeck in the North to Böblingen in the South of Düsseldorf and Idar-Oberstein in the West to Eisenach and Halle in the East.
“Regional conferences”. This Format was used in the CDU-planners so far, the occasional self-assurance between Boss Merkel, and the base, if alienation threatened to be too large. In 2011, about six, in accordance with the phase-out of nuclear power and the farewell to the compulsory military service. 2016 refugees in four dates in the light of the On-topic.
On the regional CDU meeting in Lübeck, Germany, seven further cities will follow
The longest applause for AKK
But this time, there is more to it. It’s going to be a decision on the direction of the party. Favorites for the Merkel successor AKK (56), which is in the polls, and Merz (63). At the launch in Lübeck, you get much more applause than Spahn (38). At Merz, there are almost the most applause, even some Shouts of Bravo. This is after the ten minute kick-off talk. AKK gets a good 40 seconds, Merz, 30, Spahn then half as much.
But the debate to 20 questions shows that nothing is decided. AKK flirts with their binding to the base and your summer listening Tour of the whole Republic. At Merz thunderous cheers with surging, as he raises: “It’s really fun to be back.” But, grumbling, as he has stopped pushing, he knows now, “what I missed in the last few years a bit”. Spahn fails two Times on the term “conservatism”, and searches for other words. But at the end of his presentation, he reported the visit with the parents on the weekend, the question of “mom”, why does he take all this on himself. Then he speaks of all the upheavals and societal change, and briefly mentioned on the edge of his homosexuality.
The Basis of “proudly”
In the hall, times of silence, times of enthusiasm, even euphoria. “Tonight he was proud to be in the CDU,” says one. “It comes ten years too late,” commented another. Controversial topics, such as diesel bans and abolition of conscription and refugee policy – and several times, the three agree up front who will answer which question.
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Potential Merkel successor in front of
In doing so, you pay nothing. As Merz speaks of a tax reform, Kramp-karrenbauer, the and shows be grateful if the economic professional to get involved in the party. As AKK expresses To the upheavals of the digitization reservations to Autonomous, retorts Spahn: “The coachman used to think: Is so beautiful on the Bock.” And as Merz expresses the dispute of 2015 and CSU chief Horst Seehofer criticized scolding because of its perch Merkel, commenting on the Younger: “it Would be nice if he would have said that as early as 2015.” Spahn is sovereign in the course of the Evening. Anyway – quite frankly, you don’t want to criticize each other. “We have agreed that we will only speak well on top of each other,” says Merz to the audience question of the Differences between the Three.
After 21 O’clock. A half-dozen black sedans rushing in the cold evening. The half moon is over the proud city. On Tuesday, the Tour continues to the Moselle. In 16 days, the last debate is rising in Berlin. And eight days later, the CDU chooses the Federal Congress in Hamburg, or the new Chairman.
It’s exciting weeks. Is decided a long time ago still nothing. “A battle at eye level, but to be fair to each other”, expected, Daniel Günther. The CDU – so it seems – is reinventing itself. Again.