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Ruprecht Polenz: How the CDU finds its course between the AfD and the Left Party: Former CDU General Secretary Ruprecht Polenz warns against his party narrowing ...
nzz.ch/international/was-bleibt-von-der-cdu-wenn-sie-zwischen-afd-und-linken-eingekeilt-ist-ruprecht-polenz-ld.1910434
Key FactsPolenz Urges CDU to Reclaim Political Center
4 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nzz.ch
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nzz.ch
- Ruprecht Polenz aims to revitalize the CDU's centrist position through his Compass Mitte initiative.
- He criticizes the party’s overemphasis on migration and highlights social issues affecting internal security.
- Polenz describes the AfD as ethnonationalist and opposes any political cooperation with them.
- The CDU should return to its Christian-social and liberal roots, emphasizing economic and security policies.
The AfD is a völkisch-nationalist party. For them, not all people have the same dignity.— Ruprecht Polenz, former General Secretary of the CDU, speaks about the AfD and its ideology.
“Compass Mitte” wants to change course: Laumann finds new moderate CDU group superfluous
n-tv.de/politik/Laumann-findet-neue-gemaessigte-CDU-Gruppe-ueberfluessig-article26135293.html

Internal power struggle within the CDU: Which path will help against the AfD?: The new platform "Compass Mitte" is calling for a course correction from ...
hna.de/kassel/richtungsstreit-in-der-cdu-welcher-weg-hilft-gegen-die-afd-94019817.html

“Under Friedrich Merz, the CDU is only discussing migration. That's the mistake.”
freitag.de/autoren/dorian-baganz/ruprecht-polenz-die-cdu-diskutiert-unter-friedrich-merz-nur-ueber-migration
Key FactsCDU Platform Pushes Shift and AfD Separation
Oct 31, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: freitag.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: freitag.de
- The newly founded CDU platform Compass Mitte voices opposition to Friedrich Merz’s conservative agenda and advocates for greater influence of the party’s social-liberal wing.
- It demands a sharper break from the AfD, including at the local level, and supports submitting an official ban request against the party.
- The controversy around Merz’s ‘cityscape’ remarks highlights the CDU’s overly narrow focus on migration issues.
- Merz remains Chancellor amid criticism but is currently difficult to access, while Compass Mitte seeks a broader, substantive party debate.
We advocate that the federal government, the Bundestag, or the Bundesrat submit a request for a ban on the AfD. The reason is quite simple: There is now a large number of people in Germany who are genuinely afraid that the AfD is becoming more powerful.— Ruprecht Polenz, in a discussion about the founding of the 'Compass Mitte' platform and the necessity of a ban on the AfD.
OpinionCDU rebels: Saying “middle ground” but meaning “standstill”: A new network within the CDU is criticizing Merz's allegedly overly conservative course ...
welt.de/debatte/plus690484dab9e7d6b545d10032/cdu-rebellen-mitte-sagen-und-stillstand-meinen.html
Paid articlePaywallWhat makes the fragmentation in the Bundestag so dangerous: Solo actions within the parliamentary groups have always existed. But today, the smartphone rewards ...
sueddeutsche.de/projekte/artikel/kultur/afd-streit-krise-union-spd-e965937/

Paid articlePaywallRuprecht Polenz: “It's not against Merz at all.”: The new initiative “Compass Mitte” wants to remind people of the social and liberal core of the CDU – and ...
sueddeutsche.de/politik/compass-mitte-union-ruprecht-polenz-merz-li.3332469

Paid articlePaywallNew CDU group “Compass Mitte”: Why a mayor from North Hesse is involved: In the new group “Compass Mitte”, CDU politicians are promoting social positions ...
hna.de/hessen/neue-cdu-gruppe-compass-mitte-hessischer-buergermeister-ist-unterstuetzer-94016842.html

Former chancellor: Merkel calls for “moderation and balance” in the debate on migration policy
welt.de/politik/deutschland/article690060694876ac87d158c332/ex-kanzlerin-merkel-fordert-mass-und-mitte-bei-diskussion-um-migrationspolitik.html
Key FactsMerkel Calls for Balance in Migration Debate
Oct 28, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: welt.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: welt.de
- Angela Merkel refrained from directly addressing the current 'cityscape' debate but indirectly criticized the tone around migration policy.
- She focused on 2015 as a pivotal year when nearly one million migrants arrived in Germany, recalling her phrase 'We can do this.'
- Merkel emphasized the importance of recognizing each migrant as an individual and advocated for a moderate and honest discussion.
- She stated that balance and moderation form the foundation for democratic parties’ success and guard against populism.
The vast majority of people have an unfailing sense of whether politicians act out of calculation, whether they are being led by the nose by the AfD, or whether they act because they are genuinely interested in solving problems.— Angela Merkel critically addressed political rhetoric in migration policy during a reading in Bonn.
Co-founder criticizes party line – Stuttgart politician from new CDU group: “We have been silent long enough.”
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.mitgruenderin-kritisiert-parteikurs-stuttgarter-politikerin-aus-neuer-cdu-gruppe-haben-lange-genug-geschwiegen.22bee9ef-59a2-44d5-b0b9-7a54c4949650.html

OpinionNew CDU group “Compass Mitte”: “We are trying to become a movement.”: Trade unionist Monica Wüllner (CDU) is one of the founders of “Compass Mitte ...
taz.de/Neue-CDU-Gruppe-Campus-Mitte/!6125344/

The beginning of the end? The AfD question seems to be gradually dividing the CDU
weltwoche.de/daily/anfang-vom-ende-die-afd-frage-scheint-die-cdu-allmaehlich-zu-spalten/

After dispute with judge: Federal President Steinmeier considers black-red coalition “damaged”
tagesspiegel.de/politik/nach-richterstreit-steinmeier-halt-schwarz-rote-koalition-fur-beschadigt-14016605.html

Key FactsCoalition Faces Strain After Judge Appointment Dispute
Jul 13, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: spiegel.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: spiegel.de
- President Steinmeier criticized the black-red coalition for damaging itself after postponing the constitutional judges' election.
- The Union unexpectedly opposed SPD nominee Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf due to allegations of plagiarism and liberal abortion views.
- Steinmeier emphasized the urgency of a decision to protect the authority and function of the Federal Constitutional Court.
- The Bundestag’s next regular session is scheduled for September 10, by which time a solution should be reached.
I believe that if you take a look at the newspapers from the weekend, you will immediately learn that the coalition has certainly damaged itself.— Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated this in the 'Summer Interview' on ZDF, regarding the postponed election of the constitutional judges.
OpinionBurst election of female judges: No more compromises: After the scandal: A relevant part of the CDU/CSU is about to say goodbye to the center ...
taz.de/Geplatzte-Richterinnen-Wahl/!6097373/

Europe's press on the coalition: | "Merz must deliver. The AfD is breathing down his neck."
n-tv.de/politik/Merz-muss-liefern-Ihm-sitzt-die-AfD-im-Nacken-article25694465.html

Key FactsMerz Faces Significant Challenges Ahead
Apr 10, 2025 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
- The formation of the government in Germany attracts international interest, as Merz, the new Chancellor, faces immense domestic and foreign policy challenges.
- In migration policy, the Union has nearly achieved its goals, while Merz must navigate economic and geopolitical crises.
- The political center expresses relief over the new government, while radical right factions voice outrage at the coalition.
- A 144-page coalition agreement has been signed, laying the foundation for the next four years, but foreign policy remains a central unresolved issue.
How do I vote in the federal election? The despair before the new election: 50 percent are swing voters, but the extreme polarization on the left and right makes ...
berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metropole/die-verzweiflung-vor-der-neuwahl-wen-soll-ich-bloss-waehlen-li.2295402

L'AfD veut détruire la CDU : Le centre doit se déchirer sans pitié: L'AfD veut détruire la CDU. Pour ce faire, elle dresse les bourgeois les uns contre les ...
faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/daemonisierung-wie-die-afd-friedrich-merz-angreift-110273375.html

Key FactsAfD Aims to Dismantle CDU and Divide Centrists
Feb 3, 2025 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: faz.net
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: faz.net
- The AfD seeks to destroy the CDU and incite division among centrists.
- Friedrich Merz acknowledges that the AfD aims to fracture the CDU to attract voters, as other parties lack potential.
- The AfD employs a strategy of demonization to provoke fears in the center, further dividing CDU's voter base.
- By attacking Merz and claiming superiority, the party attempts to position itself as the solution to existing problems.
Kai Wegner against Merz: Senate will not agree to a law that is only brought about by the AfD
berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/kai-wegner-gegen-merz-senat-wird-keinem-gesetz-zustimmen-das-nur-durch-die-afd-zustande-kommt-li.2292412

Key FactsWegner Rejects Laws Supported by AfD Votes
Jan 30, 2025 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
- The Berlin Senate will not approve a migration policy tightening law if it gains a majority in the Bundestag solely through AfD votes.
- Mayor Kai Wegner emphasizes that there will be no cooperation with the AfD.
- The Union's proposed influx limitation law, which aims to restrict migration and suspend family reunification, is on the agenda.
- Wegner urges the democratic center to find a joint solution by Friday to strengthen democracy.
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