Profile: The CSU

The Christian Social Union / Christlich-Soziale Union

The CSU is the third and smallest member of the governing coalition. In short, they are the CDU (read a short introduction here), but Bavarian and more socially conservative.

Gross oversimplifications aside, the CSU and CDU are often considered as one political unit – The Union. They are part of the same ‘fraction’ in the Bundestag so – despite being two separate political entities – they select a single candidate for chancellor. This means that even though the CSU is one of the smallest members of the Bundestag, a future German chancellor could realistically come from their ranks. The CSU operates exclusively from Bavaria and holds a near monopoly on power on a local level. From 1966 to 2008, they were the sole party in state government and since 1945 there have only been three years when the CSU were not represented in government. This combination makes the Bavarian Prime Minister, currently Horst Seehofer (also the chairman of the CSU) a frontline politician.

The CSU’s impressive run in Bavaria could be coming to an end, however. Poll numbers are on a long-term decline: ten years ago they were flirting with 60% support, now ‘only’ 45% and their current coalition partner, the FDP, is experiencing the same collapse in support in Bavaria as they are nationally. While the CSU remains the largest single party by far, if they lose much more ground and can’t find another fitting partner they could end up in government with – and making major concessions to – the social democratic SPD or the Greens.

Regardless of their difficulties on a local level, however, they will continue to punch above their weight in national politics. A CSU figure to watch over the coming months is Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. Formerly defence minister, he resigned in March 2011 after it became clear he plagiarised large parts of his doctoral thesis (and subsequently lost his doctorate) then withdrew from public life until late 2011. Despite the debacle, he remains one of the Germany’s most popular politicians and while it might be early to sound a comeback, he could be the man who picks up the pieces if Merkel’s attempt to save the euro (supported by the main opposition parties) falls through.

The CSU have three cabinet ministers on a national level: Isle Aigner at Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Peter Ramsauer at Transport and Hans-Peter Friederich at the Interior ministry.