Overview

• CSU leader Markus Söder campaigned with NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst in a newly opened WM Group logistics hall in Bocholt, drawing roughly 1,000 guests in Wüst’s home district.
• NRW-CDU general secretary Paul Ziemiak called the visit a strong signal of partnership between Bavaria and NRW, underscoring coordinated CDU/CSU messaging before the local vote.
• The CDU press office flagged heightened security for the event, which featured a large media contingent including a ZDF Heute-Show team and prominent attendees such as Jens Spahn and Paul Ziemiak.
• In a punchy speech, Söder criticized the Bürgergeld, opposed what he termed social migration into welfare systems, took aim at environmental rules and gendering, and joked about Trump demanding Neuschwanstein.
• The Bocholt stop is part of a nationally resonant push across NRW ahead of the Sept. 14 municipal elections involving about 13.7 million eligible voters.