CDU Federal Party Conference Kicks Off in Stuttgart with Re-election Bid and Regional Focus

The CDU's two-day federal party conference commenced in Stuttgart on February 20, 2026, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeking re-election as the party leader. This event is notably centered on strategic discussions including leadership continuity and addressing regional disparities, particularly concerns in East Germany.

Sven Schulze, leader of the CDU in Sachsen-Anhalt, highlighted the critical need for the party to intensify its attention on the East, emphasizing not only economic issues but also pension reforms. He underscored that the CDU must convincingly demonstrate its commitment to tackling these challenges with tangible solutions.

The conference also featured calls for shifts in party policy and broader European strategies. Ines Schwerdtner, chair of the Left Party, urged the CDU to reconsider its ban on cooperation with her party, arguing that this prohibition hampers the CDU's capacity to engage effectively across the political spectrum. Meanwhile, former NATO Deputy Director Gerlinde Niehus advocated for a more assertive European security stance, criticizing the continent's overreliance on the United States and commending the EU Commission's announcement of a new security strategy shaped by lessons from the Greenland crisis.

The political climate is further complicated by regional geopolitical tensions, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warning of electricity supply disruptions to Ukraine in retaliation for halted fuel deliveries linked to Russian oil pipeline issues.

Beyond party politics, local issues such as the preservation of the Helios-Klinik in Zerbst through district takeover and the resolution of a strike impacting the A71 tunnel in Thüringen were also reported, illustrating the intersection of national party priorities and community concerns.

The Stuttgart CDU conference will additionally delve into elections for the party board and debates around social media age restrictions, underscoring the party's engagement with both internal governance and contemporary societal issues.