Political party CDU calls for a United Nations Security Council seat for Brandenburg and an increased presence of the Bundeswehr in schools within the region.
CDU Proposes Changes in Baden-Württemberg: Strengthening Social Security, Defense, and Research
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the German state of Baden-Württemberg has unveiled a series of proposals aimed at enhancing the region's social security, defense, and research capabilities. The plans, which include the establishment of a Security Council and the abolition of civil clauses at universities, have sparked debate and controversy.
At the heart of the CDU's proposals is a state-wide cooperation obligation, intended to replace civil clauses. This obligation, according to CDU state and faction leader Manuel Hagel, would allow for the ordered cooperation in cases of national security. Hagel also aims to bundle security-relevant issues, develop forward-looking strategies, and evaluate current situations.
One of the key areas of focus is the development and production of drones and drone defense systems. The CDU seeks to make Baden-Württemberg a center for this technology, facilitated by the cooperation of science, economy, and security authorities. To this end, Hagel has called for an 'immediate drone program' for the police in Baden-Württemberg to expand the pioneering role of the police in social security.
The CDU's plans also extend to the education sector. The party is advocating for every pupil to have spoken to the German Armed Forces and its soldiers at least once in their school life. Furthermore, the CDU wants to legally stipulate that schools must cooperate with youth officers of the German Armed Forces within the framework of social education.
The CDU's proposals are a response to a changed threat situation, including cyber attacks and knife attacks. To address these challenges, the party is calling for the establishment of a National Security Council, which is to meet in crises, make quick decisions, develop strategies for threat situations, and approach social security in a networked manner. The Security Council, according to the CDU, is intended to bring together justice, police, constitutional protection, and civil defense.
However, not everyone is in agreement with the CDU's plans. Peace and anti-militarization activists have been advocating for the abolition of civil clauses at universities in Baden-Württemberg since at least the early 2000s. The debates and opposition to the abolition have been ongoing for decades, with protests and public debates documented since around the early 2000s or earlier.
Despite this opposition, Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) supports universities participating in military research, believing that it serves social peace. The CDU's goal of strengthening the social security and defense industry in Baden-Württemberg is also supported by Kretschmann, who acknowledges the region's significant contribution to Germany's social security capability, with over 42,000 people directly and indirectly employed in the field of armaments and defense.
As the top candidate of the CDU in the 2026 state election, Hagel is determined to implement these proposals, aiming to make Baden-Württemberg a leader in social security, defense, and research. The debate surrounding these proposals is likely to continue in the coming months, with both supporters and opponents voicing their opinions.
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