The CDU/CSU group emphasizes that the developed recommendations of the Borchert Future Commission 'should be understood as guidelines based on societal consensus.' The motion does not mention the costs of such an agricultural transition, nor whether these should be financed by a new meat tax or through higher VAT on food.
Besides livestock farming, the CDU group plan addresses the topics of wolves, manure regulation, reduction of bureaucracy, working hours, taxes, multi-risk insurance, bioenergy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and crop protection.
The CDU opposition has had much criticism in recent years of proposals by BMEL Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens), but has presented few concrete own proposals in return. Due to the collapse of the center-left traffic light coalition, the CDU members now have to quickly come up with their own alternatives.
The intention of the CDU parliamentary group is to have a separate agricultural paragraph adopted at the special party congress on February 3rd. This will be a kind of 'interim action plan.' Among other things, it is now proposed not to fully reinstate the controversial discount on agricultural diesel but only partially.
It is also clear that many current laws and regulations date back to the sixteen years during which CDU ministers ruled the BMEL ministry. The party wants to reverse the restrictions on chemical pesticides introduced by the SPD, FDP, and Greens. CDU also advocates abolishing sometimes duplicated mandatory business administrations.
If the Christian Democrats win the elections in February and become the largest party, the Bavarian sister party CSU is already demanding the BMEL ministerial post. The CSU believes that the Bavarian dairy farmer and Farmers' Association chairman Günther Felßner should succeed Cem Özdemir.
Felßner told the news magazine Politico that he sees no need for a break with the current agricultural policy and also supports the expansion of renewable energy sources, similar to the approach of Green Minister Özdemir. "We will again have an agricultural policy that combines ecology and economy," Felßner explained.
The CDU premier of the eastern state of Saxony believes that no new coalition with the Greens should be formed after the elections. Saxony thereby supports the position of the Bavarian prime minister and CSU leader Markus Söder. On the other hand, CDU leader and chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz is not categorically opposed to a possible coalition with the Greens.
According to the latest opinion polls, CDU/CSU will be the winner of the elections with just over thirty percent of the vote, followed by the right-wing radical AfD with around 20 percent, SPD with about 18 percent, and Greens with approximately 15 percent. Because CDU lead candidate Merz has already categorically ruled out governing with the AfD, and because CDU and SPD together might not reach a majority, the formation of a three-party coalition might prove necessary.