At the CDU party conference held in Stuttgart, party leader Manuel Hagel expressed optimism as he welcomed delegates, strategically using his keynote address to focus on the upcoming elections rather than internal critiques of the party leadership. He aims to reclaim the Stuttgart state chancellery for the CDU, a position that has been held by the Green Party since 2011, and is boxing in for significant elections in the region and in Rhineland-Palatinate through a rallying cry of confidence to his party members.

Despite a noticeable dissatisfaction among many CDU members towards the federal leadership and Chancellor Merz, Hagel's presentation focused on unity and determination, attempting to shift attention away from party discontent to rally support for electoral success. His statements suggest a strategic alignment with the party's core objectives, pushing for victories in key territories that could restore the party's former influence.

The event demonstrates the critical junction at which the CDU finds itself—dealing with internal dissent while trying to present a united front ahead of crucial polls. The implications of the decisions made during this conference could resonate through upcoming political contests, affecting not only the CDU's standing in Baden-Württemberg but also its broader national strategy moving forward.