CSU Party Conference Highlights Leadership Challenges and Calls for Germany’s Modernization

At the December 2025 CSU party conference in Munich, Markus Söder was re-elected as party leader but secured his weakest result to date, reflecting challenges within the CSU leadership. Following Söder’s re-election, Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a significant speech emphasizing the urgent need to modernize Germany's political and economic framework. Merz described Germany as requiring a renovation, not a complete overhaul, with a focus on reducing high taxes and labor costs to enhance competitiveness and accelerate digitalization—a process he acknowledged would take time.

Merz stressed the importance of unity, warning against internal political disputes that could detract from addressing broader national and global challenges. He highlighted the pivotal role of the CDU-CSU coalition working together with the Social Democrats to meet these challenges. Merz’s speech underscored the dramatic shifts in global political and economic power, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the aggressive stance of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who seeks to reclaim the Soviet Union's former borders.

He stressed Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening NATO as critical measures to safeguard democracy, peace, and freedom in Europe. The atmosphere at the conference was notable for its complex emotional undercurrents; reports suggest that Merz appeared more comfortable within the CSU setting than Söder himself, further illustrating the nuanced dynamics between the CSU and CDU leadership.

The presence of economic observers such as Thorsten Alsleben, managing director of the Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft, at the event highlighted the broader interest in Merz’s vision and the party’s strategic direction. The conference may represent a historic moment as the CSU grapples with internal leadership challenges while aligning with broader national goals to adapt to rapidly changing global conditions.

In summary, the 2025 CSU party conference was marked by a delicate balance of leadership uncertainty, calls for political and economic modernization, and a united front in the face of international threats, all pointing to a critical juncture for one of Germany’s major political forces.