Chancellor Friedrich Merz, freshly reelected as party leader, addressed delegates as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) resumed its federal conference in Stuttgart on February 21, 2026. The meeting, held ahead of state elections on March 8, featured a series of policy votes that signalled a conservative turn on several social and legal issues.
Key policy decisions
– Full-face coverings: Delegates backed a Women’s Union motion calling for a nationwide ban on garments that fully or largely conceal the face, explicitly citing the niqab and burqa. Supporters said open faces are essential to an open society and uphold women’s dignity; opponents warned such measures risk stoking anti-Muslim sentiment.
– Naturalisation residency: The conference voted to restore an eight-year residency requirement for citizenship, reversing a 2024 change that had shortened the period to five years. Delegates also called for stricter vetting to ensure applicants accept constitutional principles and core societal values.
– Social media age limit: The CDU approved a proposal to set a legal minimum age of 14 for use of social networks, aligning with wider European debates about children’s access to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
– Telephone sick notes: Delegates supported ending the option of obtaining a sick note by phone, arguing that easy access lowers the threshold for calling in sick. Under current rules, known patients with mild symptoms can receive a phone sick note for up to five days.
– Debt brake: A motion sponsored by Merz opposed further loosening of Germany’s constitutional debt limit. Delegates demanded evidence that earlier easing—used to finance defence investments—had achieved its aims before permitting additional changes.
– Sugar tax rejected: A proposal from Schleswig-Holstein Premier Daniel Günther to tax sugary drinks as a tool to curb childhood obesity was rejected. State leaders said they would continue pursuing other measures, including restrictions on sales of high-sugar energy drinks to minors.
Context and reactions
The conference included contributions from figures such as Markus Söder of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the CSU. CDU youth groups and other internal factions voiced concern where government actions have diverged from past pledges, particularly on fiscal rules.
Other news from Germany and the region
– A 61-year-old German man died while skiing in Austria’s Silvretta Montafon area after being found under a tree following searches that used his phone’s signal. Heavy snowfall had increased avalanche risk in the region.
– The 76th Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) ended amid controversy over the role of politics in art. Remarks by jury president Wim Wenders about avoiding politics, and accusations that the festival remained silent on Gaza, prompted resignations and an open letter from industry figures accusing the event of failing to speak out on the “genocide of Palestinians.” Berlinale management rejected those accusations as inaccurate.