CDU occasion convention: Social media ban and Söder’s promise to Merz | EUROtoday

Social media ban till age 14, softening of the minimal wage and no additional easing of the debt brake: with some controversial choices concerning content material CDU ended their occasion convention in Stuttgart. In explicit, the vote for an age restrict for utilizing social media may have concrete results. Leading SPD politicians have additionally spoken out able paper in favor of banning youngsters below 14 from utilizing social media.

Söder guarantees Merz help – “for longer too”

CSU-Chief Markus Söder demonstrated unity with the just lately re-elected CDU chief Friedrich Merz throughout his go to to the occasion convention. Although it wasn’t a sure-fire success, he and Merz had “a close, deep, good relationship from day one.” «You can depend on us. We will help you as Chancellor, even longer in order for you,” he promised the Chancellor.

Merz Shortly earlier than the occasion convention, he made it clear that he needed to stay chancellor for a “longer term” and was aiming for a second time period in workplace. When welcoming the CSU chief, he additionally praised the cooperation with Söder. There haven’t been many occasions when the CDU and CSU and their occasion leaders “worked together so closely, so well, so harmoniously”.

Söder to the SPD: The Union is primary

Opposite the SPD But Söder struck a distinct tone than Merz the day earlier than. After the Chancellor referred to as for extra cohesion on Friday, Söder recalled the completely different stability of energy within the authorities alliance. The Union has 208 members within the Bundestag, the SPD solely 120.

The Bavarian Prime Minister stated he thought it was “okay” if the Chancellor was “even friendlier” to the SPD with a view to hold the enterprise collectively. But he nonetheless needed to say: “Who won the election? Who is number one? This is the Union, not the SPD.” In this context, Söder explicitly criticized the SPD’s positions on tax coverage, particularly on inheritance tax. At this level he isn’t prepared to provide in.

CDU/CSU parliamentary group chief Jens Spahn, however, agreed with the Chancellor’s tone and referred to as on the coalition companions to be prepared to compromise. «It has to work. We are dedicated to success on this coalition, the Union and the SPD, and that’s the reason we are going to get it executed collectively, irrespective of how tough it’s.”

Spahn compares Reichinnek with Honecker

Both Spahn and Söder attacked the left harshly. “Germany must not be ruled by socialism again,” stated the CSU chief. Spahn in contrast Left Party chief Heidi Reichinnek with the previous GDR state and occasion chief Erich Honecker and described the Berlin Left as a “crude mixture (…) of the old SED and the new Hamas”.

In phrases of content material, the CDU mentioned greater than 200 purposes. These are crucial choices:

Social Media

The CDU needs a minimal age of 14 for Tiktok and Instagram and Co. The Party convention According to a spokeswoman, adopted a movement that calls on the federal authorities to “introduce a legal age limit of 14 years for the use of social networks.” The “special need for protection up to the age of 16 in the digital space” must also be outlined with guidelines. This makes restrictions extra possible, as related proposals have already come from the SPD. Before that, we must anticipate suggestions from a fee, which can in all probability come in the summertime.

Cannabis

The CDU is placing stress on the reversal of hashish legalization. The occasion convention adopted a movement that calls on the black-red federal authorities to repeal the visitors gentle coalition legislation, which has permitted smoking and cultivation of hashish for adults with restrictions since April 1, 2024. An “open-ended evaluation” is agreed within the coalition settlement with the SPD.

Debts

Following a proposal from the Junge Union, the occasion congress is sending a sign towards even better easing of the debt brake: “A “modernization of the debt brake”, as it is called in the coalition agreement, must not consist of further weakening it.” A authorities fee ought to make proposals for modernizing the foundations anchored within the Basic Law. They have already been relaxed for protection spending, amongst different issues.

Sick notes

The CDU is looking for an finish to the potential for making sick notes over the phone, even with no go to to the apply. The occasion convention in Stuttgart accepted a corresponding proposal from the SME and Economic Union. The justification states that the simpler it’s to acquire a certificates of incapacity for work, the extra possible the “bedside decision” will likely be in favor of reporting sick. Merz had beforehand complained about what he thought of to be extreme illness.

Minimum wage for harvest staff

The CDU delegates spoke out in favor of deviations from the minimal wage for seasonal staff in agriculture. It weakens the competitiveness of home firms “and thus our security of supply in Germany.” The resolution has two catches: According to an audit by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, exceptions to the minimal wage should not legally potential. And the SPD, for which the minimal wage is taken into account sacrosanct, would hardly go together with it.

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