2140.wtf / We_Are_2140 Collective on Nostr: Why Germans Elected Friedrich Merz CDU/CSU’s Historical Popularity and Stability: ...

Why Germans Elected Friedrich Merz
CDU/CSU’s Historical Popularity and Stability:

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have long been major political forces in Germany, associated with economic stability, conservative values, and strong leadership. Despite a decline under Angela Merkel’s later years, the CDU/CSU regained voter trust under Merz, who positioned himself as a return to traditional conservative principles after the perceived failures of Olaf Scholz’s SPD-led coalition.

Economic Concerns:
Germany was facing its worst economic crisis in decades, as noted in the Reuters article (web:7). Merz, with his background as a corporate lawyer, lobbyist, and former chairman of BlackRock Germany, likely appealed to voters concerned about economic recovery, job creation, and business-friendly policies.


The CDU/CSU’s election platform, as outlined in the DW article (web:5), promised to lower income taxes, reduce corporate taxes to 25%, and ease bureaucratic burdens—policies that resonate with voters worried about economic stagnation and inflation.


Immigration and Security:
Immigration was a dominant issue in the 2025 election, especially after the CDU/CSU’s 2015 refugee policy under Merkel became controversial. Merz positioned himself as tougher on immigration than Scholz, aiming to stop illegal migration and appeal to voters frustrated by integration challenges and security concerns.

While not as hardline as the AfD, Merz’s rhetoric and policies (e.g., criticizing lenient asylum policies) likely drew votes from those seeking a middle ground between the SPD’s openness and the AfD’s extremism.
Rejection of the Traffic Light Coalition: The outgoing coalition of the SPD, Greens, and FDP (known as the "traffic light coalition") collapsed in November 2024 due to internal disagreements, particularly over economic policy and the debt brake. Many Germans were frustrated with the coalition’s inability to address economic woes, climate policies, and immigration effectively. Merz and the CDU/CSU positioned themselves as a stable alternative, promising decisive leadership and a return to fiscal conservatism.


Regional and Demographic Appeal:
The CDU/CSU won strong support in western and southern Germany, where traditional conservative values and economic interests dominate. Merz’s background—rooted in North Rhine-Westphalia and his ties to the U.S. and free-market principles—likely resonated with these regions.

However, the CDU/CSU’s 28.5% vote share (per the Al Jazeera updates, web:2) suggests they didn’t win a majority, indicating a divided electorate, but enough voters saw Merz as a safer choice compared to the far-right AfD or the struggling SPD.

Merz’s/CDU/CSU’s Election Promises That Appealed to Voters
CDU/CSU’s 2025 election platform included several key promises that likely attracted voters:

Lower Taxes and Economic Growth:
The CDU/CSU pledged to reduce income taxes and gradually lower corporate taxes to 25%, appealing to middle-class voters, businesses, and those concerned about Germany’s competitiveness in a global economy.

They promised to maintain fiscal discipline, including not cutting old-age pensions, which reassured older voters, a significant demographic in Germany.

Tougher Immigration Policies:
The party committed to stopping illegal migration, a response to the rise of the AfD and public concerns about integration, crime, and overburdened social services. This stance likely drew votes from those who felt Merkel’s 2015 refugee policy was too lenient but didn’t align with the AfD’s far-right rhetoric.

Support for Defense and NATO:
Merz advocated for increasing defense spending to meet NATO’s 2% GDP target and proposed buying American F-35 fighter jets, as mentioned in the POLITICO article (web:0). This resonated with voters concerned about European security, especially amid tensions with Russia and uncertainty about U.S. support under a potential Trump presidency.

Preserving Social Benefits with Reforms:
The CDU/CSU promised not to cut pensions and encouraged older workers to stay in the workforce with tax-free earnings up to €2,000 per month, appealing to retirees and those worried about social security in an aging population.

Climate Policy Balance:
Unlike the Greens, the CDU/CSU took a more pragmatic approach to climate change, avoiding overly ambitious targets that could hurt industry. This likely appealed to voters in industrial regions concerned about job losses from stringent environmental regulations.

Criticism of Scholz’s Leadership:
Merz campaigned on restoring strong, decisive leadership, contrasting himself with Scholz, whom he criticized for being indecisive (e.g., on sending missiles to Ukraine, as noted in web:7). This resonated with voters frustrated by the SPD’s perceived ineffectiveness.

Voter Sentiment and Context
His wealth, corporate ties, and past comments on migrants have drawn criticism, and the CDU/CSU’s 28.5% vote share shows a polarized electorate.

However, enough voters saw him as a competent, conservative leader to secure the chancellorship, especially in contrast to the AfD’s surge (19.5%) and the SPD’s decline to 14.5% (per Al Jazeera, web:2).

The AfD’s strong showing, particularly in eastern Germany, suggests many voters wanted a harder line on immigration and EU integration, but the CDU/CSU’s broader appeal and Merkel-era legacy likely swayed moderates and conservatives to back Merz instead of risking instability with the far-right party.


Conclusion

Germans likely elected Friedrich Merz because the CDU/CSU offered a mix of economic stability, conservative values, and tougher immigration policies that addressed key voter concerns—economy, security, and dissatisfaction with the outgoing coalition. While not everyone trusts Merz due to his globalist ties or corporate background (as seen in the X posts), his promises of tax cuts, fiscal responsibility, and a pragmatic approach to migration and defense resonated with a broad enough coalition of voters to win the election on February 23, 2025. However, the narrow victory and AfD’s rise indicate ongoing divisions in German society that Merz will need to navigate as chancellor.