THE NEW CDU GENERAL STANDS FOR PLAIN LANGUAGE AND FRESH IDEAS Linnemann's mission: save Merz1
The CDU under fire! Party leader Friedrich Merz (67) pulls the emergency brake. He replaces his main strategist, General Secretary Mario Czaja (47) . Carsten Linnemann (45) will be his successor. From 2013 to 2021 he was head of the powerful Mittelstands-Union! Linnemann of all people, the Paderborner – known almost only to political insiders until a few weeks ago. But then he spoke up with popular suggestions that would have become a general secretary or a party leader: ► According to Linnemann, overtime should be paid tax-free in the future, and thus motivate overtime when there is a shortage of skilled workers. ► Pensioners should be allowed to earn extra tax-free! ► In May he called for an obligation to work for recipients of support: anyone who receives money from the state should also work. In contrast to the pale-looking Czaja, Linnemann is seen as a man with clear edges and open words. He does not shy away from the argument, according to party headquarters. Thorsten Frei (49...