Overview
- At a Heddesheim event near Mannheim, Merz urged Europe to emancipate itself from the United States, saying Washington is turning from rules-based to power-centered policy, according to his remarks.
- He argued Germany must preserve its industrial base and learn to work more and longer to address looming challenges.
- CDU contender Manuel Hagel emphasized the state’s technology strengths and proposed a final free year of kindergarten plus binding primary-school recommendations for all secondary tracks.
- The duo scheduled speeches at Heddesheim with about 800 attendees expected and at Bad Rappenau with roughly 1,300 anticipated, based on party estimates.
- The CDU says Merz will return for rallies in Stockach and Ravensburg two days before the March 8 election to help decide the successor to outgoing Green Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann.