The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Schleswig-Holstein is entering the state election with Minister-President Daniel Günther as its lead candidate in 2027. At the selection of the state list on 14 November in Neumünster he received 239 votes, or 96.76 per cent. Seven delegates voted against him and one abstained. Earlier, Chancellor Friedrich Merz had urged support for Günther at the state party conference. Outside the Holstenhallen people protested against cuts to social spending.
The state election is scheduled for 18 April 2027. For Günther, who has been Minister-President since 2017, it will be his party’s third election with him as lead candidate. He wants the CDU to emerge as the strongest party once again and, in his own words, to achieve no worse a result than at the previous election.
During the 2022 state election the CDU received 43.4 per cent of the vote and fell one seat short of an absolute majority in the state parliament. According to Norddeutscher Rundfunk, it won 33 of the 35 directly elected seats. Günther has governed Schleswig-Holstein with the Greens ever since.
In his speech, the Minister-President acknowledged that his government had not succeeded in delivering all its plans. According to a report by the German Press Agency, he cited problems with the Schlei ferry and the failed plans for a battery factory by Northvolt near Heide as examples.
Günther is followed on the state list by state parliament president Kristina Herbst, parliamentary group leader Tobias Koch and parliamentary business manager Birte Glißmann. The remaining places on the list were chosen collectively after the separate vote on Günther. There are 90 candidates on the list in total.
Merz praised Günther’s work both in Schleswig-Holstein and in the federal party. The Chancellor said the federal party would support the state’s election campaign with all its strength. Günther, in turn, called for a reduction in electricity tax for all citizens. Funding for such a reduction has yet to be agreed within the federal coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD.
Trade unions were among those who had called for protests outside the venue. According to the German Press Agency, they criticised plans concerning pensions, working hours, social security and care. Kieler Nachrichten reported that around 150 people took part in the demonstration. Günther accepted a protest letter; according to the report, Merz did not go outside the hall to meet the protesters.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).