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Christian Social Union (CSU)

The conservative CSU is a regional Bavarian party, which plays an important role on the federal level as 'sister party' to the Christian Democrat CDU.

The CSU traditionally has a comfortable majority in Bavaria. The average age of its members is 59, they live mainly in rural areas. CSU leaders are known for their beer-swilling populism, they embrace conservative family policies for stay-at-home moms and anti-gay marriage; some are Euroskeptic. This page provides a collection of DW's content on the CSU.

Germans' support for Russia sanctions remains steady — but can it last?

Germans' support for Russia sanctions remains steady — but can it last? 08.07.2022

Russia is supplying less and less gas and prices are rising. What will happen to solidarity with Ukraine when life gets tougher in Germany?
Germany: CSU leader Söder sees coalition with conservatives as rejected

Germany: CSU leader Söder sees coalition with conservatives as rejected 06.10.2021

Bavarian lawmaker Markus Söder says conservatives in Germany will likely face a new era in opposition. His assessment contrasts strongly with that of fellow conservative leader Armin Laschet.
Germany's political parties — what you need to know

Germany's political parties — what you need to know 05.10.2021

Here's a look at Germany's political parties — CDU, CSU, SPD, AfD, FDP, Left party, Greens — who they are and what they want.
German parties extend coalition talks

German parties extend coalition talks 03.10.2021

A week after Germany's parliamentary election, the main four parties are starting formal coalition talks. The conservative CDU and center-left Social Democrat parties are both seeking to lead the new government.
Opinion: The Bundestag could use more women

Opinion: The Bundestag could use more women 02.10.2021

Just over one-third of the members in Germany's newly elected parliament are women. That's troubling — and not at all representative of our society, DW's Melina Grundmann writes.
German election: Greens and FDP meet for preliminary two-way talks

German election: Greens and FDP meet for preliminary two-way talks 29.09.2021

The Greens and the Free Democrats have held a first meeting on the long road to forming a new German coalition government. Both the SPD and the CDU/CSU hope to secure the support of the two kingmakers.
German CDU/CSU compromises on key job amid post-election coalition limbo

German CDU/CSU compromises on key job amid post-election coalition limbo 29.09.2021

After their election drubbing, Germany's conservatives have voted to keep their parliamentary group leader, Ralph Brinkhaus. But only for a limited time until April, when a coalition is likely to have been formed.
Germany's election results: Facts and figures

Germany's election results: Facts and figures 28.09.2021

What shifts led to the SPD win? Who turned up to vote where, and why? The demographic breakdown of the election in graphs.

Social Democrat wins constituency held by Angela Merkel

Social Democrat wins constituency held by Angela Merkel 28.09.2021

The conservative CDU/CSU has suffered its worst result in a federal election. Without Angela Merkel leading the charge, the party's most important driving force was missing. Nowhere else is this as evident as in Merkel's own constituency.
Post election: Are Germans now facing months of uncertainty?

Post election: Are Germans now facing months of uncertainty? 27.09.2021

The Social Democrats narrowly but decisively claimed victory in the German parliamentary elections. In their view, the citizens voted for the so-called 'traffic light' coalition. But Christian Democrats will also begin coalition talks.
Germany votes: SPD hold slim lead, CDU slumps to worst showing in decades

Germany votes: SPD hold slim lead, CDU slumps to worst showing in decades 27.09.2021

The center-left Social Democrats are ahead of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc by almost two percentage points, preliminary election results show. In such a tight race, the possibilities for a coalition are still unclear.
Germany has voted

Germany has voted 27.09.2021

It was predicted to be close, but few thought it would be this close. SPD and CDU/CSU neck-and-neck race. As ballot counting continues, discussions on possible coalitions have already begun. Forming a government will be anything but uncomplicated.
Opinion: Move over grand coalition — Germany wants change

Opinion: Move over grand coalition — Germany wants change 26.09.2021

German voters have shaken up the country's political landscape. They have confined the dominance of the CDU/CSU and SPD to history — for now. It's a necessary change, says DW Editor-in-Chief Manuela Kasper-Claridge.

German election 2021: Governing coalition options

German election 2021: Governing coalition options 25.09.2021

A German government needs a 50% majority in parliament, but no one party can get so much voter support. So they agree on coalitions — and the next government will be no exception. Here is an overview of the options.

German election: What are the German party programs?

German election: What are the German party programs? 25.09.2021

When laying out their election programs, parties aim to distinguish themselves while also signaling to potential partners that they're open to working together. Here's an overview of the six main parties' platforms.

German election campaign enters final days 25.09.2021

Opinion polls show the Social Democrats hanging on to a narrow lead over the CDU/CSU block. Both parties are still comfortably ahead of the Greens. All three parties that have hopes of getting into government held large-scale rallies on Friday.
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