Christlich Demokratische Union / Christlich Soziale Union
Christian Democratic Union / Christian Social Union
Christian Democratic Union / Christian Social Union
Centre-Right
European Parliament Group
Change of -4.8 since last election
-1.7 in the last 3 months
The Union's foundation is rooted in a Christian understanding of humanity, emphasizing both individual freedom and inherent imperfection, alongside personal responsibility. This underpins the principle of subsidiarity, where the state intervenes only when individuals or smaller communities are unable to cope. The CDU/CSU sees itself as a pillar of the state, dedicated to preserving traditions and ensuring social cohesion through its commitment to the Social Market Economy. Patriotism, for the Union, is expressed as an allegiance to the values enshrined in the Basic Law and to European integration, always with a strong focus on security and public order.
The party's agenda is shaped by a commitment to economic competitiveness, sound fiscal policies (often referred to as a 'balanced budget' or 'zero deficit'), and robust internal and external security. As a broad-based 'Volkspartei' (people's party), it appeals to a wide range of demographics, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industrial workers to families and rural communities. It advocates for an efficient welfare state that incentivizes personal responsibility and champions a migration policy focused on controlled immigration and successful integration. Internal tensions frequently arise between the party's economic-liberal faction and its Christian-social labor wings.
Strategically, the Union acts as the stabilizing force within the German party system. It occupies the role of the moderate right and consistently aims for governmental responsibility to implement pragmatic solutions rather than ideological experiments. While the CSU, as a regional party in Bavaria, provides a distinct conservative emphasis, the CDU operates nationwide as an integrative force. Its relationship with state institutions is characterized by profound respect.
We surveyed voters across all parties within the PolitPro community about their stances on key political issues. The bars illustrate the range of opinions among CDU/CSU supporters. A shorter bar indicates a more homogeneous opinion among supporters. Where available, the party's official position is displayed as a circle.
These values are derived from data provided by CDU/CSU supporters on the PolitPro platform. While this data is not a traditional representative random sample, the high number of participants provides deep insights into the priorities and values of the active voter base.
Total Duration: 57 years • 10 months • 5 days
Total Duration: -
Total Duration: 57 years • 10 months • 5 days
The party participated in government for 69% of the legislative period.
A comprehensive research database from the University of Bremen, documenting parties, elections, and governments for comparative analysis.ParlGov – Parliamentary Democracy Data
Döring, Holger and Philip Manow. 2024. Parliaments and governments database (ParlGov).
The leading expert survey on party positions in Europe. Over 400 political scientists document party stances based on rigorous scientific criteria.CHES – Chapel Hill Expert Survey
Rovny, Jan, et al. “25 Years of Political Party Positions in Europe: The Chapel Hill Expert Survey, 1999-2024.”