CDU conference re-elects Merz, tightens cannabis and sick leave rules

CDU backs Merz with 91.2% vote and adopts hardline policies

CDU Party Conference Proceeds Smoothly as Merz Emerges Strengthened; Party Backs Social Media Ban for Under-14s

Stuttgart – The CDU's party conference in Stuttgart concluded on Saturday (February 21) with Friedrich Merz securing re-election to the party's executive board with a personal best result. Markus Söder, leader of the sister party CSU, immediately pledged his support for a second term. Yet the mood was mixed: Health Minister Jens Spahn spoke of the difficult compromises with coalition partner the SPD, while delegates also voted on a proposed social media ban for minors.

Merz won 91.2% of the vote—an improvement over his 89.9% result in 2024. The strong backing further consolidates the chancellor's position within his party. Overall, the conference proceeded harmoniously, with both Spahn and Söder offering robust support. There were no rebellious challenges from the party base, as reported by Süddeutsche Zeitung, leaving Merz on solid ground within the CDU.

The social media proposal stands a good chance of becoming law. The CDU's Karin Prien, the minister responsible, will oversee its implementation, and the SPD has already signaled approval in principle. However, the party will first await recommendations from a commission expected this summer, particularly on how to design a "mandatory, data-protection-compliant age verification system."

In total, delegates debated over 200 motions—a key tool for CDU members to shape party policy. These range from leadership initiatives to grassroots proposals from local branches, factions, or individuals. Motions are also the only way to amend the party's statutes. Once adopted, they bind the CDU to specific positions or actions. Beyond the social media restrictions, the conference passed several other significant resolutions:

Reversing cannabis legalization: At the urging of the Women's Union, the CDU will push to roll back the legalization of cannabis. The motion calls on the federal government to repeal the traffic-light coalition's law, which since April 1, 2024, has permitted adults to consume and cultivate cannabis under certain conditions.
No further relaxation of the debt brake: The Young Union successfully tabled a motion opposing any further loosening of Germany's debt ceiling rules. The conference stressed that "modernizing the debt brake"—as outlined in the coalition agreement—must not mean weakening it. A government commission is expected to propose reforms to the constitutional debt limits, which have already been eased for defense spending.
Ending sick notes by phone: The Middle-Class and Economic Union's motion to abolish telephone sick leave was approved. Supporters argue that the easier it is to obtain a medical certificate, the more likely employees are to call in sick unnecessarily. Merz had previously criticized what he sees as excessively high absenteeism rates.
No minimum wage for seasonal farmworkers: Agricultural laborers would be exempt from minimum wage requirements under a motion from the South Baden district association. The proposal claims that minimum wage rules undermine the competitiveness of domestic farms "and thus threaten Germany's food security." However, two major obstacles remain: legally, the Agriculture Ministry has ruled out exemptions, and the SPD—firmly committed to upholding the minimum wage—is unlikely to support such a measure.

A proposal by the CDU's youth wing, the Junge Union, calling for sweeping reforms to pensions, healthcare, and long-term care failed to gain approval at the party conference. Delegates rejected the motion outright, instead referring it to the Bundestag parliamentary group for further deliberation. CDU social policy experts sharply criticized key elements of the plan, particularly the proposed restrictions on early retirement and sick pay entitlements.

(Sources: dpa, AFP, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Tagesschau, t-online, Welt)