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CDU councillor quits over party’s rightward shift and internal strife

Frustrated by ideological clashes, René Strietzel leaves the CDU—but stays on the council. His exit exposes deeper fractures in Germany’s conservative party.

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CDU councillor quits over party’s rightward shift and internal strife

René Strietzel, a CDU district councillor in Klotzsche, has left the party after months of internal disputes. His departure comes as he criticises the party’s growing rigidity and a noticeable shift to the right. Despite stepping down from the CDU, he will remain on the council as an independent until his term ends.

Strietzel joined the Klotzsche district council in July 2023 after the CDU secured three seats with 21.5 percent of the vote in the 2024 local elections. Since then, tensions within the Dresden North branch have escalated, particularly over the influence of the Heimatunion faction. He has accused this group of pushing the party further to the right and creating an exclusionary atmosphere.

In December, Strietzel took on the role of managing director at the Saxon Lawyers’ Pension Fund. Around the same time, he publicly opposed the federal government’s pension reform package. His frustration with the CDU’s direction grew, leading to his decision to resign from the party entirely. Strietzel has made it clear that he will not seek re-election once his current term concludes. Until then, he will fulfil his duties on the council but without party affiliation. His exit marks another sign of division within the local CDU over its political stance and internal leadership.

The resignation leaves the CDU in Dresden North with one fewer councillor, though Strietzel will continue representing Klotzsche independently. His departure highlights ongoing disagreements over the party’s future direction. The Heimatunion faction’s influence and the CDU’s policy shifts remain key points of contention for remaining members.

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