CSU is establishing a distinctive identity ahead of the federal elections, focusing on stricter migration policies, increased commuter allowances, and enhancements to the mother’s pension. The party’s ‘Bavaria Agenda’ outlines demands that exceed those of the CDU, particularly in asylum rights, financial equalization, and social policies. Proposed reforms include changing asylum laws, improving commuter benefits, increasing pension credits for mothers, and adjusting inheritance tax to reflect property values in Bavaria. Adoption of the program is set for Tuesday.
CSU’s Divergent Strategy for Federal Elections
In a strategic move for the upcoming federal elections, the CSU is carving out its own identity, distinct from the CDU. The party is emphasizing a stringent migration policy, an enhanced commuter allowance, and a renewed focus on the mother’s pension. Here’s a detailed overview of the CSU’s proposals.
Key Focus Areas of the CSU
The CSU aims to garner support in Bavaria by presenting additional demands compared to the CDU, particularly in areas such as commuter allowances, financial equalization among states, and asylum policies. This approach is outlined in the draft of the CSU’s ‘Bavaria Agenda,’ which will be discussed in the party’s executive board meeting next Monday.
In a bid to solidify its stance, party leader Markus Söder and the CSU state group have already highlighted some of these points, which extend beyond the joint election program with the CDU in both scope and tone. Key excerpts from the ‘Bavaria Agenda’ have been reported by various media outlets, indicating a clear shift in the party’s electoral strategy.
Immigration Policy Reforms
As the federal elections draw near, the CSU is sharpening its focus on immigration. The party is advocating for significant changes in asylum rights, proposing to transform the right to asylum from an individually enforceable right into an objective guarantee. It suggests that the right to stay for migrants should be contingent upon having sufficient income, while asylum court proceedings should adhere to a ‘constitutional minimum.’
Furthermore, the CSU proposes terminating family reunification for individuals under subsidiary protection and all voluntary admission programs. The agenda also calls for a clear roadmap for Syrians living in Germany, especially in light of discussions surrounding the potential repatriation of individuals following the shift in power in Syria.
Additionally, the CSU insists on the immediate deportation of foreign criminals and suggests that those who cannot be deported promptly should be placed in indefinite deportation detention. The party’s stance on naturalization is also more stringent, stating that naturalization should only occur after eight years, contingent on good integration, a clean criminal record, and self-sufficiency.
Economic Proposals and Social Policies
In terms of economic policies, the CSU proposes increasing the commuter allowance to 38 cents from the first kilometer, which currently stands at 30 cents for the first 20 kilometers. This change aims to alleviate financial pressures on commuters and is seen as a critical element of the party’s platform.
The party is also advocating for an enhancement of the mother’s pension, proposing that mothers receive three years of child-rearing time credited to their pension for children born before 1992, a significant increase from the previous two and a half years. This proposal has been a longstanding element of the CSU’s election agenda since 2013, although past implementations have been limited.
Furthermore, the CSU is calling for a fundamental reform of the financial equalization among states, arguing for a significant reduction in Bavaria’s payments and a new calculation mechanism. This proposal highlights the party’s commitment to addressing perceived injustices in the current system.
Finally, in the realm of taxation, the CSU aims to regionalize inheritance tax rules, increasing exemptions to better reflect the high real estate prices in Bavaria. Additionally, the party advocates for a permanent reduction of the sales tax on beverages to seven percent within the gastronomy sector, a move not reflected in the broader Union’s election program.
The formal adoption of the election program is scheduled for Tuesday, after which it will be presented by party leaders Merz and Söder.