The term “dominant culture” had for years been erased from the vocabulary of German politicians, even conservative ones. In a country of immigrants, the term, which many see as entwined with the country’s darker side, was seen as controversial, if not unacceptable. In 2000, the current leader of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Friedrich Merz he demanded that immigrants respect the rules of coexistence in his country, causing scandal even in his own party, which eventually showed him the exit door. Now, Mr. Mertz is seeking to find his way to the chancellorship by touting exactly the same position.

In the first 70 pages of its new basic program, the CDU asks immigrants to recognize the German “dominant culture … without yes, but”, with respect for human rights, the rule of law and tolerance. He speaks of a “common sense of country and belonging” which, he points out, cannot be achieved “without understanding our traditions and customs, German culture and language, our history and responsibility arising” from it. The title of the text is also clear: “Living in freedom – leading Germany safely into the future”.

Many analysts were quick to conclude that with its new guidelines, the party that is clearly ahead in the polls is moving away from its ideological heritage. Angela Merkel, which had left its mark with the CDU’s shift towards the centre. The Christian Democrats themselves prefer the term “emancipation”. Their party, after Mrs. Merkel’s departure and defeat in the 2021 elections, had to be reborn, redefine its goals and make itself attractive to voters again in a period of crisis and general questioning.

What is certain is that the CDU now puts an end to multicultural dreams and proclaims “cosmopolitan patriotism”, which, however, “knowing our historical responsibility, does not place our country above the others”. At the same time, the red-black-gold of the German flag is no longer taboo. “They are the colors of the Hambach Festival, the Paulskirche, the colors of the democracy of our state,” emphasizes the CDU.

The main theme of the program is immigration. After all, the problem dominates the political debate, states complain about an excessive burden, and recent developments in the Middle East highlight especially the internal security issues related to immigration. The CDU “has a clear expectation that immigrants respect our values ​​and laws and we want binding integration agreements,” the text reads.

Does Islam have no place in Germany anymore?

In other words, Islam no longer has a place in Germany, as the former Federal President declared Christian Woolf and Angela Merkel herself? Similar wording is not found in the new program. On the contrary, it is clearly stated that “in Germany there is a place for Muslims who share our values, are committed to our dominant culture”, and that “Sharia is not part of Germany”. In the revision of the citizenship legislation, the Christian Democratic Party makes it a condition for anyone who wants to obtain German citizenship to recognize Israel’s right to exist. Among other things, compulsory German language courses are introduced, as well as language tests at the age of four.

To limit immigration, the CDU proposes full electronic monitoring of the EU’s external borders. “Security (of the borders) also includes their structural and technical protection, where necessary,” it pointed out, with an eye on Angela Merkel , which considered such a thing impossible. But today’s CDU is not Mrs Merkel’s, and Friedrich Merz is determined to make that abundantly clear. Migrants should apply for asylum in safe third countries outside Europe and wait there for the outcome, rather than arriving in Germany and staying there for years, the basic plan says.

In its text, the CDU directly warns of “Islamic terrorism” and describes political Islam as an “underestimated danger”. “We say no to Sharia and that also means, no to talks with Islamist groups monitored by the Constitution Protection Agency, no to intimidation and anti-Semitic threats”, it is emphasized, while special reference is made to the direct influence of foreign governments, such as the Turkish one, on the Muslims living in Germany.

Friedrich Merz has repeatedly emphasized that he does not consider the Christian element in his party’s name obsolete, despite the decline in Catholic and Protestant church membership in Germany. “The Christian perspective on humanity is a compass,” the text explicitly states.

Immigration, integration and social cohesion are a dominant theme of the CDU’s new program – an indirect recognition of the …signs of the times, but also the growing strength of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The Christian Democrats blame Angela Merkel and the “welcoming culture” for their electoral defeat in 2021 and do not seem willing to allow it to happen again.

Characteristic of the “new CDU” is the (re)turn in energy policy. It was Mrs Merkel who decided to abandon nuclear power after the Fukushima accident in 2011, Friedrich Merz today says “we cannot afford to live without it at the moment”. However, the program also includes the goal of storing energy from renewable sources, alongside the abolition of the use of lignite.

The position of the CDU in relation to the much-discussed “debt brake” is not surprising. “Solid finances are a requirement of intergenerational justice – a guarantee for this is the debt brake,” it underlines, while rejecting “special funds” financed by new debt – with few exceptions. In the same context, it is noted that, in order to ensure the financing of pensions, “there is much evidence in favor of extending working life and linking the retirement age with life expectancy”. In addition, anyone who wishes to continue working after retirement will at one point receive their earnings tax-free. However, according to the authors of the program, overtime wages for full-time employees should also be tax-free.

The program of the Christian Democrats does not include a proposal to impose compulsory military service. However, it is clarified that such a thing should not be excluded from the discussion, while, on the contrary, a proposal is included for a mandatory “social year” for all young people who graduate from secondary education.

Less …Merkel?

Until now, the basic program of the Christian Democratic Party was the one voted in 2007 and largely echoed the views of the center wing, which was weakened after the departure of former chancellor Merkel and the failure of her successor, Armin Lasset. The new program is expected to be officially approved in January, at a special conference to be held in Heidelberg, and in May it will be submitted to the party’s 1,001 congressmen for approval. “If elections were held now, we would already be ready,” CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann said a few days ago, knowing that the main opponent of the Christian Union is none other than the AfD.

Ahead of 2024, a quintessential election year – with European and state elections in three AfD strongholds (Thuringia, Saxony, Brandenburg) – the new leadership has made the strategic choice to win back voters of the party who moved further to the right.

So less center and more right? Less Merkel and more …Mertz? Or just, less Merkel and more …CDU?