CDU on foreign affairs and defence

The CDU commits to the Bundeswehr and to NATO's two percent target, meaning defense spending of two percent of economic output. It cites security risks in the Baltic Sea region for which the alliances must be prepared.

The CDU stands by the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces. It wants Germany to spend enough on defense. NATO has a goal for this: two percent of economic output. The CDU says there are dangers in the Baltic Sea region.

The platform says the freedom and prosperity of a coastal state depend on stable internal and external security. The CDU sees both security opportunities and risks in the Baltic Sea region that existing alliances should be prepared for. From this it derives the need for Bundeswehr funding that matches its mission. The platform also points to the armed forces' help during the pandemic and in disaster response.

The CDU wants to keep all Bundeswehr bases in the state and attract additional posts. The armed forces are to be publicly visible, for example through swearing-in ceremonies, exercises, and youth officers in schools; a veterans policy is also planned.

The CDU wants to keep all military bases in the state. Even more soldiers should come to the state. People should see the armed forces in public. Youth officers should talk about security policy in schools. Former soldiers who served abroad should get support.

The platform backs public swearing-in ceremonies and events as well as highly visible exercises, including with allied forces and local emergency services. The state's own building management agency is to process Bundeswehr construction projects quickly. The CDU welcomes youth officers teaching security policy at schools and universities when invited. It wants to introduce a veterans policy and support veterans' organizations and the concerns of deployment veterans. The state is to remain an attractive place to live and work for soldiers and their families.