Berlin On the evening of the election, Norbert Röttgen, like many other members of the presidium, was on stage with Armin Laschet in the CDU headquarters. At first glance, despite the historically worst result of the union, they were pleased that at least a red-red-green alliance would not be possible in the 20th German Bundestag. The election campaigners had been able to prevent the worst in the past few weeks.
And yet the next morning it was turbulent in the party’s committees: the question is how the Union will manage to renew itself after 16 years as Angela Merkel’s chancellor. The former candidate for the office of CDU chairman sees difficult times for his party – and wants to influence it positively.
He also warns against an election of the chairman at the constituent meeting of the Bundestag faction on Tuesday. “I recommend following the proposal of the two party leaders and provisionally confirming the current parliamentary committee until the election of the chancellor,” said Röttgen to the Handelsblatt. “With the election of chancellor it will be clear whether we are government or opposition. This also defines the role of a parliamentary group leader. ”
CDU presidium member Röttgen is one of those interested in the position alongside Jens Spahn, Friedrich Merz and the previous chairman Ralph Brinkhaus. Should the Union go into the opposition then it is not a matter of course that the party leader will also become the leader of the opposition. “It can be, but it doesn’t have to be,” he said.
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The Union made no claims to lead the next government. “But the two smaller parties, the FDP and the Greens, have expressly expressed their interest in talking to the CDU / CSU about a possible agreement. We will not ignore this. So everything is open, ”said Röttgen.
The 56-year-old ran for the office of party chairman in 2020 and was defeated by Armin Laschet in January 2021. He wanted to push ahead with the renewal of the party “as a member of the presidium and as a member of the Bundestag,” said Röttgen.
As a candidate for party leadership, he had already placed this need at the center of his application. “My feeling is that the need for renewal has now reached the breadth of the party.”
Read the entire interview here:
Mr Röttgen, the Union has lost a great deal. With 24.1 percent it got its worst result. Given this situation, is it right to think about coalition negotiations now?
We suffered a very heavy defeat. If we stay at this level, we will no longer be a people’s party. That is why we must do everything we can to ensure that this condition does not become entrenched.
What has to change for the Union to become a people’s party again?
We have to take up the issues, fears and values of people in all areas of life and anchor ourselves anew.
What does it mean exactly?
That means comprehensive renewal: in terms of content, politics and personnel. It is also important how we present ourselves to the outside world. People look at it and decide whether they can identify with us.
The question is whether something like this succeeds better as a ruling party or not from within the opposition.
This renewal as a people’s party must happen regardless of whether we govern in the Federation or not. Should we become part of the government, then this process is not unnecessary – it remains just as necessary.
But if in doubt, it is quickly forgotten, as in 2017. The Union with Angela Merkel already achieved its worst result at the time with 33 percent.
If we were to forget it, I predict: Then we will see an even worse result in the next federal election and we will definitely no longer be a people’s party.
In terms of content, is the party even able to forge a Jamaica alliance if it considers a renewal process to be necessary and seeks to anchor it?
Despite its need for renewal, the CDU has the greatest breadth, both in terms of personnel and in terms of competence in factual issues. Even if we have to digest a heavy defeat: The SPD has benefited from the Scholz Effect, but the social anchorage remains realistic at 15 percent – the last few years have shown. Greens and FDP are between eleven and almost 15 percent. Our downward trend is dramatic, but all parties have some catching up to do when it comes to anchoring them in society.
Read more about the federal election:
Where is the Union with the 24 percent that has now been achieved?
I advise caution: 24 percent put their trust in us. But that is not a sure-fire success either. We have to work on ourselves and promote trust, more than ever. With the necessary renewal of the party, I justified my candidacy for the CDU federal chairmanship in February 2020. This topic was also at the center of my application speech in January 2021. My feeling is that the need for renewal has now spread across the party.
So what role do you want to play in the future, perhaps still as party chairman?
I run it as a member of the Presidium and as a member of the Bundestag.
It is still unclear who will be elected as group chairman and when. What do you recommend?
I recommend following the proposal of the two party leaders and provisionally confirming the current group leadership until the election of the chancellor. With the election of Chancellor it will be clear whether we are government or opposition. This also defines the role of a parliamentary group leader.
Is the party leader then an opposition leader?
That can be, but it doesn’t have to be.
How likely do you think it is that the Union will actually rule with the Greens and the FDP and not end up in the opposition?
Objectively, a political situation has arisen in which three out of four parties can form a government. We respect that the SPD is barely the strongest force. It is therefore not a question of claims on the part of the Union. But the two smaller parties, the FDP and the Greens, have expressly expressed their interest in talking to the CDU / CSU about a possible agreement. We will not ignore this. So everything is open. It must be clear to everyone: It will be very difficult to govern successfully in the next few years – the challenges are enormous. That is why it is important to find the best formation.
Mr. Röttgen, thank you for talking to us.
More: Laschet wants to fly to the Chancellery – but his power to do so is dwindling. A comment.