CDA leader Dennis Radtke calls for a new direction in the CDU

Dennis Radtke, who leads the CDA within the CDU, has openly challenged Chancellor Friedrich Merz, accusing him of provoking needless controversy with his remarks on social and labour policy. Radtke pointed to a recent television interview in which Merz described doctors as beneficiaries of the existing system, calling the portrayal unhelpful. He contended that the Union’s recurring debates about whether workers are lazy or exploit the system reveal a misunderstanding of core issues.

Emphasising economic priorities, Radtke urged the party to provide firms with planning certainty, cut red tape, speed up approvals and reduce energy prices. He warned that one outlet course cannot continue and called for a substantive internal discussion on the party’s direction, dismissing the need for symbolic retreats or cabinet-style meetings.