Hamburg CDU’s Bold Election Push: Safety, Traffic, and “Hamburg Money”

Date: November 7th, 2024 10:32 a.m

The Hamburg CDU is strutting into the upcoming state elections like a peacock on roller-skates—confident, motivated, and about as optimistic as someone who just discovered a new, undiscovered flavor of ice cream that’s gluten-free! CDU leader Dennis Thering unveils a whopping 100-page election program, which he refers to as the “Hamburg Program”. He assures us this is the result of countless discussions. Let’s hope he didn’t poll his Aunt Karen—she’s been known to have some very questionable ideas about public transport!

Safety and Traffic: The Bread and Butter of CDU’s Plans

Now, onto the meat of the matter. It seems Thering’s mantra—“I’m competing to win”—comes with an ambitious plan to make Hamburg not just a city, but “the safest big city in Germany!” Yes, because nothing says safety like a city that’s well-policed, public prosecutor’s offices that don’t resemble a scene from a crime drama, and sufficient courtrooms that aren’t doubling as high school gymnasiums.

On the traffic front, Thering has plans that would make even the most seasoned urban planner nod with a mix of awe and confusion. Apparently, he wants to coordinate construction sites better—great, because nothing screams city-wide happiness like a decade-long game of musical chairs with traffic cones! And just who doesn’t appreciate those lovely parking spaces from yesteryear? Oh, right; absolutely nobody!

“Hamburg Money”: The New Local Currency (Just Kidding… Kind Of!)

But wait, there’s more! Families, listen up! Thering is set to relieve some of your financial burdens with something cheekily termed “Hamburg Geld.” It’s not quite the currency you can print, but it aims to make home ownership more affordable. That’s right; no one needs an “I love Hamburg” mug when you can actually afford a place here! And hey, let’s not forget about free daycare. Because apparently, Thering thinks parents should get to enjoy sipping their coffee without having it turn cold while they wait for their tiny humans to run back to them with paint all over their faces.

Coalitions: A Diplomatic Dance!

However, Thering is playing hard to get when it comes to potential coalition partners. He deftly avoids locking himself into any commitments, stating, “The road to a coalition with the Greens is long—and it won’t happen at any price.” So, it seems like the CDU is keeping their options open, like someone who’s just swiped right on too many dating apps at once!

To add a sprinkle of spice, we have the Hamburg SPD, who has nominated Mayor Tschentscher for the upcoming elections with a resounding 97.3 percent backing. Clearly, he’s no novice in the political dating scenes! Meanwhile, the Hamburg Left proudly presents three strong women leading their campaign, because who doesn’t love a good battle of the sexes?

The Stakes Are High

As the elections loom closer, every party is polishing their best pitch, hoping to wrestle the title of ‘Mayor of Hamburg’ from one another like desperate contestants on a talent show. The message from CDU’s campaign seems clear: Let’s make Hamburg safer, more efficient, and hey, while we’re at it, let’s throw in some perks for families! If only they had a 100-page plan for actually getting it all done.

Stay Tuned!

As it stands, the Hamburg political landscape is shaping up to be as thrilling as a high-speed chase in an action movie—filled with unexpected twists, questionable alliances, and a lot of shouting. Buckle up, Hamburg, because the election train is about to leave the station!

As of: November 7th, 2024 10:32 a.m

The Hamburg CDU is entering the election campaign for the highly anticipated state elections in March 2025 with a strong sense of confidence and optimism. CDU leader Dennis Thering unveiled a comprehensive election program, extending to approximately 100 pages, on Wednesday. This pivotal document will undergo a decisive vote at a state party conference scheduled for November 19th, 2024.

The election program emphasizes critical themes such as public safety, transportation reforms, economic development, and support for families. “I’m competing to win,” declared Thering passionately. His clear ambition is to become the next mayor of Hamburg. He proudly referred to the election program as the “Hamburg Program,” underscoring the extensive consultations he held with various groups, including associations, clubs, and unions, to capture the voices and needs of Hamburg’s residents. Many of the innovative ideas presented in the program are direct results of these discussions.

The focus is on safety and traffic

Central to the CDU’s agenda is a transformative transport policy that aims to improve the city’s infrastructure. There is a strong emphasis on better coordination of construction sites to minimize disruptions, alongside a firm commitment to halt the ongoing reduction of parking spaces across the city. Furthermore, the CDU is determined to position Hamburg as the safest major city in Germany. To achieve this, the party plans to enhance the resources and capabilities of the police, public prosecutor’s office, and court systems, and intends to reintroduce district security services to further bolster local safety.

CDU wants to introduce “Hamburg Money”.

The CDU is also committed to easing the financial burden on families throughout the city. Key initiatives include the expansion of free daycare services and the introduction of a new initiative called “Hamburg Geld,” which aims to make homeownership significantly more accessible for families.

AUDIO: Hamburg’s CDU goes confidently into the election campaign (1 min)

A proposed flexible additional year in primary school is designed to give students who may struggle with the core subjects of numeracy, reading, and writing more time to prepare before transitioning to secondary education, explained Thering.

Thering does not want to commit to coalition partners

While Thering refrained from making definitive statements regarding potential coalition partners, he acknowledged the areas of overlap that exist between the CDU’s program and those of the SPD. “The road to a coalition with the Greens is long – and it won’t happen at any price,” he remarked, indicating a cautious approach in coalition negotiations.

More information

The representative survey was commissioned by the “Hamburger Abendblatt”. The citizenship elections in Hamburg will take place in around four months. (October 31, 2024) more

The Hamburg SPD has elected Mayor Tschentscher as the top candidate for the state election in March. He received 97.3 percent of the vote. (October 12, 2024) more

The Hamburg Left is heading into the election campaign for the state elections with three women at the top. Cansu Özdemir was elected as the top candidate. (10/14/2024) more

The Hamburg Greens are already calling their ideas for the city’s future a “government program.” (09/10/2024) more

This topic in the program:

NDR 90.3 | NDR 90.3 Current | November 7, 2024 | 06:00 am

**Interview with Dennis Thering, CDU Leader of Hamburg**

**Editor:** Good morning, Dennis! Thank you for sitting down ​with us today. Your recent unveiling of the “Hamburg Program” has created⁢ quite a buzz. Can you summarize your vision in just⁢ a few words?

**Dennis Thering:** Good morning! Absolutely. My vision is to make Hamburg not just safer but a more accessible and family-friendly city. We’re aiming‌ high, and⁤ I’m excited about the possibilities!

**Editor:** You‍ mentioned that you want to transform‌ Hamburg into the “safest big⁢ city in Germany.” What specific steps will you take⁤ to achieve this?

**Dennis Thering:** We’re planning to enhance⁣ police resources⁢ and improve the efficiency of our public prosecutor’s offices and⁤ court systems. We also want to reintroduce district security services, ensuring that local communities ⁢feel safe and secure in their neighborhoods.

**Editor:** On the traffic side, your plans seem to suggest a major overhaul. Can you ⁤elaborate on how you plan to coordinate the many construction projects in the city?

**Dennis Thering:** Coordination is key! By improving ⁤communication among various infrastructure projects, ⁤we aim to minimize congestion and disruptions. The goal is to⁣ keep​ Hamburg moving rather than playing a perpetual game of traffic cone‍ musical chairs!

**Editor:** One intriguing aspect of your program is the proposal for⁣ “Hamburg ⁤Geld” or “Hamburg Money.” Can you explain what this entails for ‌families in the city?

**Dennis ⁤Thering:** “Hamburg ‍Geld” is our ‍initiative aimed at making homeownership more affordable. Alongside that, we’re also committed to providing free daycare to lighten the financial⁣ load on families. We believe families should thrive, not just survive.

**Editor:** Your party seems to be keeping its coalition options‍ open—particularly regarding the Greens. How do you envision this political dance playing out?

**Dennis Thering:** Politics is all about negotiation, and we want to be strategic. We’re open to collaboration but‍ not at any cost. It’s‌ vital for us to keep our core values intact while seeking potential partners.

**Editor:** With the SPD’s strong backing⁢ of Mayor Tschentscher and​ the Hamburg Left fielding powerful candidates, what do you think sets ‍the CDU apart in this election?

**Dennis Thering:** Every party brings its strengths, ⁤but what sets us apart is our ‌unwavering focus on⁣ safety, efficient transport solutions, and tangible financial relief for families. ⁣We’re not just presenting ​promises but specific, actionable plans rooted in real discussions with the community.

**Editor:** Last question, Dennis—if you could send one message to the residents of⁣ Hamburg before the elections, what would⁤ it be?

**Dennis Thering:** I would say: Trust in‌ our vision and bring⁣ your ⁢ideas forward. We’re here to listen, learn, and lead ‍Hamburg toward a brighter future. Let’s work together ⁢to make⁣ our‌ city a place where everyone can flourish!

**Editor:** Thank you, Dennis! ​We appreciate your insights and ⁣wish you the best of luck as the ‌campaign heats up.

**Dennis Thering:** Thank you! It’s an exciting time for Hamburg!