By Andreas Kißler
BERLIN (Dow Jones)–The CDU wants to anchor a “growth agenda” in its new policy program, use emissions trading as a central instrument to combat climate change and also continue to rely on nuclear power. The focus is also on a tougher course in immigration policy, a mandatory year of social service and supplementing the pension with funded retirement provision.
“We are able to govern again,” said CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann when presenting the draft policy and program commission entitled “Living in Freedom,” which the CDU federal executive committee discussed in Berlin. “If there were an early federal election, we would be ready.” People needed orientation and support. “We will provide this orientation with this basic program.” The 70 pages of the paper cover three major topic areas: freedom and security, social cohesion and community, and new beginnings and renewal.
“We want a growth agenda with an attractive corporate tax, faster planning procedures, less regulation and more investment in the future,” the draft says. “We need more well-trained skilled workers and workers and particularly want to increase domestic potential,” it continues. Wage determination must remain in the hands of the collective bargaining partners. What is called for is “an agenda for the hardworking”: those who do more must be able to afford more.
“We will relieve the burden on small and medium-sized incomes and give working pensioners better tax treatment,” the Christian Democrats announced in the draft. Lower taxes and duties ensured higher wages, more jobs and stronger growth. Anyone who can work should, according to the paper, work; the principle of support and challenge must “always apply”. The statutory pension should be supplemented by a mandatory funded pension provision.
The nuclear power option should be retained
The CDU is addressing climate change with an open mind to technology and is relying on incentives. “Emissions trading is our central instrument for this,” it says. Energy should be safe, clean and affordable. “We cannot do without the nuclear power option at the moment,” emphasizes the party in the draft program. Economy and climate are not seen as opposites, but see climate protection technologies as an opportunity and want to be a role model for other countries. Renewable energies should be significantly expanded. Germany also needs “a comprehensive state and administrative reform”. The CDU also wants to “re-regulate federal-state relations” with a federalism reform.
In migration policy, the CDU calls for a “fundamental change in European asylum law” in the paper. “We want to regain control over migration,” it says. “We want to stop uncontrolled migration and limit humanitarian migration to a level that does not overwhelm Germany’s ability to integrate and at the same time does justice to our humanitarian responsibility.” The CDU wants to “implement the concept of safe third countries”. Anyone who applies for asylum in Europe should be transferred to a safe third country and go through a procedure there. In the event of a positive outcome, the safe third country will grant the applicant protection on site.
Security is a prerequisite for freedom. “We are strengthening our security authorities and will not tolerate lawless spaces. The punishment must follow the crime,” says the draft. Every form of extremism will be fought with full force. “This also applies to political Islam.” The new world situation requires that Germany’s geopolitical ability to act and strategic interests be brought more into focus again. “Our freedom cannot be taken for granted and must be defended again and again.”
What is also necessary is “courage to adopt a dominant culture”, which includes basic and human rights, the rule of law and, among other things, the recognition of Israel’s right to exist. “Only those who commit to our dominant culture can integrate and become German citizens,” said the CDU. In the draft program she also advocates a “compulsory social year” and reiterates the model of marriage and family. Children with language needs should be required to participate in a preschool program in a daycare center, kindergarten or preschool.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 11, 2023 08:42 ET (13:42 GMT)