Volkswagen crisis, hybrid threats and the AfD: During his election campaign appearance in Lower Saxony, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) speaks about numerous topics. The CDU leader warned of a further loss of industrial jobs.
Volkswagen is an example of the serious crisis in the automotive industry in Germany and Europe, said the CDU leader in Langenhagen in the Hanover region. “Germany must remain an industrial country!”
Merz welcomed the preliminary agreement on a profound restructuring of the VW Group. An open dispute over the management of the company, including an extraordinary general meeting, would have been “anything but helpful”.
No other federal state is as strongly influenced by a large industrial company as Lower Saxony. Numerous other jobs depended on Volkswagen at suppliers as well as in trade and commerce.
Lechner criticizes the lack of prospects for VW plants
Lower Saxony's CDU state leader Sebastian Lechner accused the state government of failings. It was already foreseeable two years ago that Volkswagen was facing difficulties. This time should have been used to develop perspectives for the Lower Saxony factories.
Lechner also welcomed the agreement in the VW supervisory board. It is regrettable, however, that the future of the plants in Hanover and Emden, among others, remains unclear until mid-2027. The CDU will work constructively on solutions.
Lechner demanded an additional billion euros from the state for the municipalities in Lower Saxony. This has financial flexibility of 4.4 billion euros, but only passes on 1.2 billion euros of this to the municipalities.
According to Lechner, the CDU also wants to fundamentally abolish the state's 106 funding programs for municipalities. The associated 3.5 billion euros should be distributed directly through the municipal financial equalization system. Those responsible on site would know better what they needed the money for.
Chancellor warns of further hybrid attacks
Merz also commented on the attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport at the beginning of August. The drone, which was loaded with explosives, “really only failed to detonate due to a small coincidence in the last part of the approach,” said Merz.
In the event of an explosion, in the words of the Chancellor, there could have been “a major inferno”. The incident was clearly and “court-proof”. The federal government blames Russia for this. Russia denies this. “This type of hybrid attack will continue,” warned Merz. Germany is firmly determined to defend its constitutional state, its democracy and the integrity of its territory.
Hybrid warfare is a combination of military, economic, intelligence and propaganda means. This also includes cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns to influence public opinion, for example before elections.
Stronger content-related debate with the AfD
On the day before the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Merz also called for a stronger substantive debate with the AfD. “We have to conduct the debate with this party better,” said the CDU federal chairman. It has to be about both the content and the party's choice of words.
According to state leader Lechner, the CDU wants to become the strongest force nationwide in the local elections on September 13th. Merz also promised the state party the support of the federal CDU for the Lower Saxony state elections next year.
