Changes

The CDU is always in partnership with the [[Christian Social Union of Bavaria|Christian Social Union]], its more conservative sister party in [[Bavaria]] – the CDU does not field candidates in Bavaria and, in turn, the CSU does not field candidates outside it. When adding the mandates of both the CDU and CSU, who caucus together at the national level, they form the largest parliamentary group at the national level. Both parties are also in control of a majority of governments at the state level, with 11 out of 16 heads of state governments hailing from one of them.  

The CDU is always in partnership with the [[Christian Social Union of Bavaria|Christian Social Union]], its more conservative sister party in [[Bavaria]] – the CDU does not field candidates in Bavaria and, in turn, the CSU does not field candidates outside it. When adding the mandates of both the CDU and CSU, who caucus together at the national level, they form the largest parliamentary group at the national level. Both parties are also in control of a majority of governments at the state level, with 11 out of 16 heads of state governments hailing from one of them.  

In 2013 the CDU won again the majority with 41.5 percent, but its ally the [[Free Democratic Party]] left the parliament because they had not enough votes.<ref>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/merkel-triumphs-german-vote-allies-crushed</ref> The Christian Democratic Union has created a coalition with the left-center [[SPD]], who got 25.7 percent of the vote.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/17/merkel-and-center-left-rivals-agree-to-recommend-entering-formal-talks-on-new/</ref> The CDU declined by 8% in the 2017 election, losing much of its votes to the conservative and [[Euroskeptic]] [[Alternative for Germany]].

In 2013 the CDU won again the majority with 41.5 percent, but its ally the [[Free Democratic Party]] left the parliament because they had not enough votes.<ref>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/merkel-triumphs-german-vote-allies-crushed</ref> The Christian Democratic Union has created a coalition with the left-center [[SPD]], who got 25.7 percent of the vote.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/17/merkel-and-center-left-rivals-agree-to-recommend-entering-formal-talks-on-new/</ref> The CDU declined by 8% in the 2017 election, losing much of its votes to the conservative and [[Euroskeptic]] [[Alternative for Germany]].

==History==

==History==

The September 2009 elections were a major win for the conservative forces led by CDU Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]], breaking a stalemate and opening the way for more conservative economic policies. Previously since an indecisive election in 2005, the Christian Democrats (CDU) (on the center-right) formed a "grand coalition" with the [[SPD|Social Democrats]] (SPD) (on the center-left). Merkel and her CDU formed a coalition with the libertarian, pro-business [[Free Democratic Party|Free Democrats]] (FDP) to 2013. Left in the cold was the SPD, the [[Alliance '90/The Greens|Greens]], and the ex-Communists who remain strong in the former East Germany under the name "[[The Left]]". Merkel moved forward on tax cuts, reform of the tax code, reduction of bureaucracy and a possible extension of the time that nuclear power plants can continue to operate.  

The September 2009 elections were a major win for the conservative forces led by CDU Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]], breaking a stalemate and opening the way for more conservative economic policies. Previously since an indecisive election in 2005, the Christian Democrats (CDU) (on the center-right) formed a "grand coalition" with the [[SPD|Social Democrats]] (SPD) (on the center-left). Merkel and her CDU formed a coalition with the libertarian, pro-business [[Free Democratic Party|Free Democrats]] (FDP) to 2013. Left in the cold was the SPD, the [[Alliance '90/The Greens|Greens]], and the ex-Communists who remain strong in the former East Germany under the name "[[The Left]]". Merkel moved forward on tax cuts, reform of the tax code, reduction of bureaucracy and a possible extension of the time that nuclear power plants can continue to operate.  

In 2013 the [[Free Democratic Party]] (FDP) left the parliament.<ref>http://news.msn.com/world/merkels-party-wins-german-election-but-allies-crushed</ref> So the CDU created a "grand coalition" with the [[SPD]] again.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/17/merkel-and-center-left-rivals-agree-to-recommend-entering-formal-talks-on-new/</ref>

In 2013 the [[Free Democratic Party]] (FDP) left the parliament.<ref>http://news.msn.com/world/merkels-party-wins-german-election-but-allies-crushed</ref> So the CDU created a "grand coalition" with the [[SPD]] again.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/17/merkel-and-center-left-rivals-agree-to-recommend-entering-formal-talks-on-new/</ref>

== Party leaders ==

== Party leaders ==