CDU Bremen calls for clear industrial policy: path to the future?

CDU Bremen calls for clear industrial policy: path to the future?

Yesterday at its party conference in Bremen-Nord, the Bremen CDU passed a key motion on industrial policy that is striking in its objectives. The Christian Democrats are relying on more planning security for investments, less bureaucracy, as well as improved infrastructure and greater support for skilled workers. These measures are intended to strengthen Bremen and Bremerhaven as attractive industrial locations. State leader Heiko Strohmann and the new parliamentary group leader Wiebke Winter left no doubt that the CDU is ready to take on political responsibility. Winter clearly demanded: “We want to go to the town hall!”

The party conference gave a first foretaste of the election campaign, which now begins about 1.5 years before the general elections. Strohmann underlined the CDU's claim to be well prepared for the race. The lead motion is also aimed directly at the SPD, with a request not to allow itself to be influenced by “green do-gooders and left-wing ideologues”. A coalition partner is essential for the CDU to achieve its ambitious goals.

Climate and innovation as election topics

Friedrich Merz, the federal chairman of the CDU, also recently appeared in Bremen to present his vision for combating climate change. The CDU Economic Council organized the event in Überseestadt, where around 100 guests from trade and commerce were present. Merz described climate change as the greatest challenge of our time and called for a policy open to technology in order to counteract deindustrialization.

It is becoming increasingly clear that Germany needs a boost in innovation in order to successfully compete not only in German-speaking countries, but also in international competition. Merz explained that inventiveness must be encouraged in order to develop technological solutions for a post-fossil era. “Jobs must be created here in Germany and the EU, not just in the USA and China,” said Merz. Frank Imhoff, the CDU's top candidate for the state election, reiterated these views and criticized the red-green-red Senate for not adequately addressing the shortage of skilled workers and the high school dropout rate of 10% annually.

Economic challenges for Germany

But the challenges facing industry in Germany should not be underestimated. The nationwide economy has been referred to as the “sick man of Europe” for years. After a stagnating economy that was already in trouble before the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and geopolitical risks have once again clouded the economic outlook. There is little hope for the situation to improve in the short term.

Industrial production in Germany accounts for 24% of overall economic output. This makes it all the more important to have a skillful industrial policy that addresses challenges such as resource scarcity, geopolitical upheavals and climate change. An end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not in sight until the beginning of 2024, which means that uncertainties regarding raw material and energy supplies as well as global supply chains will continue to exist. The sector has already gone through two phases of expansion in the last 15 years, and the discussion about a sustainable approach is becoming increasingly urgent in order to prevent deindustrialization and loss of prosperity.

“We have to be innovative and take the right steps so that Bremen can be successful as a location for industry and innovation,” concluded Merz. The message from the Bremen CDU is clear: the coming months must revolve around solutions that secure the future of industry in Bremen.

Read more about the CDU's official position on industrial policy here, the challenges facing the German economy, here and Merz's recommendations for action here.