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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.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer addresses the media during a press conference on the 'Constitution Protection Report 2020' in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, pool)

Germany's Seehofer backs Afghanistan deportations despite Taliban advances 01.08.2021

Interior Minister Seehofer sees no reason why criminals cannot continue to be deported, despite the insecurity in war-torn Afghanistan. Human rights organizations and the Green party have spoken out against the policy.
13/08/2019 Eine Anhängerin der Werteunion, eines konservativen Kreises von Mitgliedern der Unionsparteien, steht mit einer Fahne bei einer Gedenkveranstaltung und Kranzniederlegung an der Glienicker Brücke zum Gedenken an den Bau der Berliner Mauer vor 58 Jahren.

Will Germany's WerteUnion share the Tea Party's fate? 09.07.2021

As Chancellor Angela Merkel prepares to leave office, the right-wing fringe of her party, which has opposed her for years, is in disarray. Will it go the way of the US's Tea Party?
German Chancellor Angela Merkel waves as she attends a virtual discussion with students about the future of Europe at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Monday, June 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, Pool)

Germans want political continuity in post-Merkel era 01.07.2021

In less than 100 days, Germans will go to the polls to vote for a new parliament. The latest opinion polls show that the coronavirus pandemic is overshadowing all other concerns.

Armin Laschet, CDU-Kanzlerkandidat, CDU-Bundesvorsitzender und Ministerpräsident von Nordrhein-Westfalen, und Markus Söder (l), CSU-Vorsitzender und Ministerpräsident von Bayern, geben vor der gemeinsamen Präsidiumssitzung ihrer Parteien ein Pressestatement. Thema sind Beratungen und die Verabschiedung des Wahlprogramms für die Bundestagswahl.

Merkel's conservatives present manifesto — 'Together for a Modern Germany' 21.06.2021

Germany's CDU/CSU reject tax hikes and remain vague on climate change in their election platform. On foreign policy, they take a tough stance on Turkey and aim for trans-Atlantic unity on China.
Links: Armin Laschet bei einem Pressestatement zur Kanzlerkandidatur von Annalena Baerbock vor dem Konrad-Adenauer-Haus. Berlin, 19.04.2021 Mitte: Germany's Green party co-leader Annalena Baerbock gives a speech during a digital announcement event in Berlin, Germany, where the party presented her as top candidate for chancellor for the upcoming federal election later this year, Monday, April 19, 2021. (Annegret Hilse/Pool via AP) Rechts: Olaf Scholz, Bundesminister der Finanzen, spricht zu den Medien im Anschluss an die IWF-Fruehjahrstagung, aufgenommen in Berlin, 07.04.2021. Berlin Germany *** Olaf Scholz, Federal Minister of Finance, speaks to the media following the IMF Spring Meetings, recorded in Berlin, 07 04 2021 Berlin Germany Copyright: xFlorianxGaertnerx

German politicians keep coalition options open ahead of election 26.05.2021

Who will join the CDU and its CSU sister party to govern Germany in the future? This long seemed like the only question worth asking. But in an evolving campaign, the Greens may have the best hand.
191213 Inside Europe 1920x1080.png Maße: 1920 x 1080 px

Inside Europe 30.04.2021 30.04.2021

Germany's Greens ahead of Merkel's CDU/CSU in new poll — France plans museum to remember terror attacks — A scandal over a seating arrangement hits the headlines in Brussels — Spain plans trial of four-day work week — Turkey puts 108 Kurdish politicians on trial — and more!
Annalena Baerbock (r), Bundesvorsitzende von Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, spricht während der Generaldebatte zum Bundeshaushalt im Bundestag neben Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU).

Germany's Greens ahead of Merkel's CDU/CSU in new poll 25.04.2021

The Greens have recorded their best polls in history, surpassing the ruling conservatives. The development sparked accusations that the party's candidate for chancellor, Annalena Baerbock, lacks experience.
24.04.2018, Bayern, München: Markus Söder, Bayerischer Ministerpräsident (CSU), steht im Eingangsbereich der bayerischen Staatskanzlei neben einem Kreuz, das er kurz zuvor aufgehängt hat. Foto: Peter Kneffel/dpa | Verwendung weltweit

Who is Markus Söder, Bavaria’s premier? 20.04.2021

CSU chairman Markus Söder was long seen as a strong contender to replace Angela Merkel as a conservative chancellor. But after a power struggle with CDU head Armin Laschet, he stepped aside.
12.03.2020, Berlin: Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU,l-r), Armin Laschet (CDU), Ministerpräsident von Nordrhein-Westfalen, und Markus Söder (CSU), Ministerpräsident von Bayern, unterhalten sich beim Treffen der Bundeskanzlerin und weiteren Mitgliedern der Bundesregierung mit den Regierungschefinnen und Regierungschefs der Länder im Bundeskanzleramt. Dahinter stehen Jens Spahn (CDU), Bundesgesundheitsminister, und Tobias Hans (CDU), Ministerpräsident des Saarlands. Themen der gemeinsamen Sitzung von Ministerpräsidentenkonferenz (MPK) und Bundesregierung sind unter anderem die Ausbreitung des Coronavirus, das Paket zum Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien und ein neuer Glücksspiel-Staatsvertrag. Foto: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa | Verwendung weltweit

Who could succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor? 20.04.2021

The three major parties have named their candidates to head the next German government. Only parties who stand a chance of winning the most votes in an election put forward a candidate for the top job.
11.04.2021 Markus Söder (CSU, r), Ministerpräsident von Bayern und CSU-Vorsitzender, kommt neben Armin Laschet, CDU-Bundesvorsitzender und Ministerpräsident von Nordrhein-Westfalen, zu einer Pressekonferenz bei der Klausurtagung des Geschäftsführenden Vorstands der Unionsfraktion im Bundestag. In der Sitzung soll es unter anderem um den Kanzlerkandidaten der Union für die Bundestagswahl 2021 gehen. +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

Germany: Markus Söder backs Armin Laschet for chancellor 20.04.2021

Bavarian state premier Markus Söder has lent his support to Christian Democrat (CDU) leader Armin Laschet. Söder, who leads the CDU's Bavarian sister party, had until now been a contender to fight for the chancellorship.
Armin Laschet, CDU-Bundesvorsitzender und Ministerpräsident von Nordrhein-Westfalen, geht nach einem Statement ins Konrad-Adenauer-Haus, der Bundeszentrale der CDU. CDU-Chef Laschet und CSU-Chef Söder wollen sich über die Frage einigen, wer Kanzlerkandidat der Union wird.

Germany: CDU party board backs Armin Laschet as chancellor candidate 19.04.2021

Armin Laschet has won the support of the CDU party board in a late-night vote. He is now one step closer to succeeding Chancellor Angela Merkel.
11.04.21 *** BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 11: Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party chairman Armin Laschet (L) and State Premier of Bavaria and Christian Social Union (CSU) chairman Markus Soeder arrive for a joint press conference on the occasion of a closed door faction meeting of CDU and CSU on April 11, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Analysts see the meeting as an attempt to possibly resolve the question of which of the two men will be the chancellor candidate for the CDU/CSU, the Christian Democratic sister parties that are commonly referred to simply as the Union in German politics. Laschet, who is also premier of North Rhine-Wetsphalia, emerged as the favourite within the CDU in a runoff earlier this year, though support for Soeder, who is premier of Bavaria, has grown louder recently as Laschet has faltered in perceived missteps related to coronavirus policy. Merkel is stepping down as chancellor and voters will determine her replacement in federal elections scheduled for September. (Photo by Clemens Bilan - Pool/Getty Images)

Germany: CDU/CSU rivals unable to break impasse on Merkel's successor 19.04.2021

Bavaria's Markus Söder has said the ball is in the CDU's court to decide on a chancellor candidate, and refused to take part in a snap CDU meeting led by rival Armin Laschet.
11.04.21 *** BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 11: Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party chairman Armin Laschet (L) and State Premier of Bavaria and Christian Social Union (CSU) chairman Markus Soeder arrive for a joint press conference on the occasion of a closed door faction meeting of CDU and CSU on April 11, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Analysts see the meeting as an attempt to possibly resolve the question of which of the two men will be the chancellor candidate for the CDU/CSU, the Christian Democratic sister parties that are commonly referred to simply as the Union in German politics. Laschet, who is also premier of North Rhine-Wetsphalia, emerged as the favourite within the CDU in a runoff earlier this year, though support for Soeder, who is premier of Bavaria, has grown louder recently as Laschet has faltered in perceived missteps related to coronavirus policy. Merkel is stepping down as chancellor and voters will determine her replacement in federal elections scheduled for September. (Photo by Clemens Bilan - Pool/Getty Images)

Söder, Laschet refuse to quit scrum for Merkel job: report 17.04.2021

During late-night talks, the CDU's Armin Laschet and the Bavarian CSU sister party's Markus Söder failed to reach an agreement on who would lead the conservatives into the 2021 election, Die Welt reported.
*** Dieses Bild ist fertig zugeschnitten als Social Media Snack (für Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) im Tableau zu finden: Fach „Images“ —> Weltspiegel/Bilder des Tages *** 11.04.21 *** North Rhine-Westphalia's State Premier and head of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, Armin Laschet and Bavarian State Premier and a leader of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) Markus Soder pose for photographers after a news conference in Berlin, Germany April 11, 2021. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

German conservatives split by search for Merkel's successor 13.04.2021

The standoff in the alliance of the CDU and CSU is coming to a head this week. In a show of loyalty, each party supports its own leader as chancellor candidate. The alliance's long-term prospects are in the balance.
Der Vorsitzende des Zentralrats der Muslime Aiman Mazyek (L) und der Bundesminister des Innern, fuer Bau und Heimat, Horst Seehofer von der Christlich-Sozialen Union (CSU) waehrend der Auftaktveranstaltung zur 4. Deutschen Islam Konferenz am 28.11.2018 in Berlin, Deutschland. Die Konferenz will Wege finden fu??r ein gelingendes Zusammenleben von Muslimen und Nicht-Muslimen. *** Aiman Mazyek L, chairman of the Central Council of Muslims, and Horst Seehofer, Federal Minister of the Interior for Construction and Home Affairs of the Christian Social Union (CSU), during the opening event of the 4 German Islam Conference on 28 11 2018 in Berlin Germany The conference wants to find ways for a successful coexistence of Muslims and Non-Muslims

Germany: Conservatives seek to isolate Islamist groups 13.04.2021

Germany's governing conservative bloc is planning to cut all government ties with groups suspected of supporting political Islamism, according to a report in Die Welt. Large Muslim umbrella organizations may be affected.
Armin Laschet, CDU-Bundesvorsitzender und Ministerpräsident von Nordrhein-Westfalen, spricht bei einer Pressekonferenz nach der Sitzung des CDU Präsidiums im Konrad-Adenauer Haus.

Germany: CDU's Armin Laschet has party support for chancellor candidacy 12.04.2021

The leaders of Germany's biggest conservative party support Armin Laschet to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor candidate at the next election. But the CSU's Markus Söder has not yet given up.

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