Recommendation issued for a plan on safeguarding workers against radiation exposure risks.
Manuel Hagel Advocates Balanced Budgetary Policies in Baden-Württemberg
Manuel Hagel, the CDU state leader in Baden-Württemberg and top candidate for the 2026 state election, supports maintaining a strict debt brake policy while advocating for targeted investments in education, defense, and infrastructure to strengthen the state's future competitiveness.
As the CDU parliamentary group chairman, Hagel's policy approach reflects a typical CDU stance: fiscal responsibility combined with strategic investment in innovation, education, and infrastructure development to boost economic strength and sustainability. His interest in innovation is evident through his visits to research institutions like the NMI and Cyber Valley, highlighting his support for science and technology investments.
Hagel is a supporter of the debt brake, but he believes the government should have first discussed savings, state modernization, and reforms before taking on debt for defense, infrastructure, and education. In April 2021, he demanded an "eternal guarantee for the debt brake."
In terms of education, Hagel emphasizes the need for more investments, particularly in early childhood education. He supports making kindergarten free and has previously agreed to discuss a mandatory last kindergarten year with the CDU.
Regarding the Bundeswehr, Hagel advocates for a separate law similar to Bavaria to facilitate investments in security infrastructure. He believes the Bundeswehr should "return to the center of society" and advocates for civilian clauses to be waived if they hinder cooperation with the Bundeswehr. He also expresses a desire for fewer rules for the German military.
On the European front, Hagel criticizes the AfD for wanting a different country, including leaving the EU and the Euro, which he believes would be harmful to the economy. He remains committed to the social market economy, Europe, and a liberal society.
In the upcoming state election campaign, Hagel does not comment on his competitors. However, his CDU colleague, Friedrich Merz, had previously promised to stick to the debt brake during the campaign. Interestingly, Hagel has criticized the relaxation of the debt brake by the federal government, suggesting the abolition of the term "special assets" and stating that it sounds like a savings book but refers to new debt.
Hagel, like Minister President Winfried Kretschmann, believes people in Germany should work more, but he did not comment on plans for a working hours account for civil servants aged 55 and over.
In March, the federal government passed a basic law amendment, allowing it to take on debt packages worth hundreds of billions for defense, infrastructure, and other purposes. The exact nature of these investments and their alignment with Hagel's priorities remain to be seen.
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- Manuel Hagel, in his capacity as CDU state leader, advocates for a balanced budgetary policy that includes targeted investments in education, defense, and infrastructure, which reflects his stance on fiscal responsibility and strategic investment for economic strength.
- In the realm of education, Hagel seeks investments, particularly in early childhood education, and has expressed support for making kindergarten free and discussing a mandatory last kindergarten year with the CDU.
- Regarding policy and legislation, Hagel supports the debt brake policy but argues for savings, state modernization, and reforms before taking on debt, and advocates for a separate law to facilitate investments in security infrastructure similar to Bavaria.
