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Germany’s opposition CDU faces a defining year ahead

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Significance

The election of Merz, who lost the last two leadership contests to centrist candidates, suggests the CDU will pivot to the right in key policy areas.

Impacts

  • Strong support for Merz in eastern Germany could undermine the appeal of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
  • The CDU will become more hawkish with regard to China, which could be significant for parliamentary votes regarding 5G legislation.
  • Opposition to the cost of more ambitious climate proposals will be a key defining issue for the CDU over the coming years.

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