AI-generated summary
The CDU suffered weak results in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Daniel Günther, Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein, commented on party strategy, communication and coalition work in the Deutschlandfunk culture podcast 'Studio 9'.
Audio player is loading
Click here to have WELT articles preferred in Google searches.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Daniel Günther will remain in office as Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein for another five years.
Very likely · Within years

Since taking over the chairmanship of the Junge Union, Johannes Winkel has made the organization an influential power factor in the CDU/CSU and at the same time made a name for himself as an independent politician. He pushed through a one-sided pension reform, was directly elected to the Bundestag and is now deputy parliamentary group leader with responsibility for labor and social affairs.
The SPD does not want to accept any cuts in benefits when reforming long-term care insurance and is instead calling for a cap on the personal contributions for those in need of care in order to prevent financial overload, while the black-red coalition is working on financial stabilization for 2027.
After its victory in the Berlin election, the Left invited the Greens and the SPD to exploratory talks to examine a possible coalition. Topics such as anti-Semitism, clan connections and the expropriation of large housing companies are discussed. Both potential coalition partners expressed skepticism, but signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) plans to speak at the migration conference in Munich about expanding the mandate of the EU border protection agency Frontex. In the future, Frontex will also be responsible for returning migrants after border procedures and deportations from transit states such as Serbia or Albania, as well as helping to organize returns to deportation centers in third countries. At the Munich Migration Meeting, 17 European interior ministers and EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner will discuss migration policy.
The Berlin Left rejects accusations of anti-Semitism, but is self-critical. Party leader Elif Eralp emphasizes the right to security for Jewish people and wants to strengthen Jewish life. State chairwoman Kerstin Wolter admits mistakes in the party and calls for clarification. The party is seeking a coalition with the Greens and SPD, while incidents at an election party in Neukölln sparked nationwide debate.
U.N. Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk begins his workday in Geneva as he speaks out about the potential unpopularity among those in power over his upcoming speech at the League of Nations Palace, while addressing practical concerns such as the weather and his appearance.