The CDU state branch in Saxony-Anhalt held a party conference in Dessau-Roßlau to adopt its election programme for the upcoming Landtag vote [1].

The gathering serves as a critical pivot for the party as it attempts to stop a decline in voter support. With the Sept. 6, 2024, election approaching [1], the CDU must find a way to compete against a surging right-wing opposition.

Current polling indicates a significant gap between the CDU and its rivals. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) currently leads the race with 41 percent [3], while the CDU trails with 26 percent [3]. This disparity has pressured party leadership to refine their policy platform to attract undecided voters, a move intended to stabilize their standing before the final campaign phase.

Sven Schulze, the leader of the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt, is steering the party into this high-stakes period [3]. The conference in Dessau-Roßlau was designed to solidify the party's ideological direction and operational strategy [2].

Notably, the event proceeded without the presence of national party leadership. The conference was held without the participation of the national party chief [3]. This local focus underscores the state branch's effort to tailor its message specifically to the concerns of Saxony-Anhalt residents rather than relying on a federal blueprint.

The adoption of the programme marks the official start of the intense phase of the election campaign [3]. Party members focused on bridging the gap between their current polling and the lead held by the AfD [3]. The outcome of the Sept. 6, 2024, vote [1] will determine the composition of the state parliament, and the potential for coalition governments in the region.

“The AfD currently leads the race with 41 percent, while the CDU trails with 26 percent.”

The CDU's struggle in Saxony-Anhalt reflects a broader trend in eastern Germany where the AfD has successfully captured a plurality of the electorate. By focusing on a localized platform and distancing the state conference from federal leadership, the CDU is attempting to pivot away from national narratives to regain trust among regional voters. The steep polling gap suggests that a standard conservative platform may be insufficient to displace the AfD's current momentum.