“Taking the middle into the middle – that’s what matters,” he assures. The Union parties made politics for the people who work hard, raise their children and do volunteer work in the evenings. A split in society, as can currently be observed in the USA, should be prevented.
Sustainability as the “DNA” of the Union
He names competitiveness and jobs, internal and external security, the “mega-topic” education and sustainability, which is divided into the aspects of climate protection, intergenerational justice and solid finances, as core issues of the CDU and CSU. He describes sustainability in particular as the “DNA” of the Union, “a topic that I no longer want to let other parties take away from me”.
Longing for a real encounter
The main item on the agenda of the party congress is the election of a new chairman and his five deputies. In addition, the members of the Presidium and the Federal Executive Committee, the Federal Treasurer and the Members’ Commissioner are elected. Because of the Corona crisis, the party conference had already been postponed twice and is now taking place online. The message from Union faction leader Brinkhaus, who sees it as the second-best solution, is therefore recorded in advance: “I miss the hall, I miss the vibrations, I miss the noise, I miss the many conversations, the reunion with many people who have been long has not seen. ”But that is not the only reason why it is important“ that we do everything we can to get out of this terrible Corona crisis quickly ”.
Economic consequences of the pandemic softened
In his speech, Brinkhaus recalled the measures that the Bundestag initiated to cope with the pandemic and its economic consequences – from the economic stimulus packages to aid such as short-time working benefits to the changes to the Infection Protection Act, which forms the basis for federal and Countries is. The parliamentary group always asked whether what the government was doing was the right thing to do. “We always did it constructively because we knew there was a lot involved, it was about health, it was about the lives of a great many people,” emphasizes Brinkhaus.
Politics beyond Corona
Corona is not everything, however, because life went on despite the pandemic, he says the parliamentary group leader. The coalition, led by the Union, has invested in the future of work, initiated the coal phase-out and laid the foundation for the expansion of renewable energies. When it comes to protecting the environment and the climate, the Union parliamentary group is relying on technological innovations, assures Brinkhaus and emphasizes the national hydrogen strategy.
Internal and external security is a particular concern of the Union parties. In view of this, the parliamentary group leader praised the achievements of the Bundeswehr and the security forces. The Union supports them with financial means and skills. Regarding the cohesion of society, he says that this should not only be promoted through redistribution. For the citizens, performance must be worthwhile. That is why the cold progression has been softened, child benefit increased and the solidarity surcharge abolished for 90 percent of taxpayers. Voluntary work is also being promoted more strongly.
You can rely on the Union faction
With a view to the federal election in September, Brinkhaus promises the delegates: “We don’t want to campaign for the next nine months, but continue to work hard until the end of the legislative period.” He praised the CDU and CSU parliamentary group as “excellent”. The MPs are sometimes critical of the government: “We also say it out loud when things don’t suit us.” In the end, however, “you can always rely on us”.
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