Fact check: Is CDU/CSU a left or right leaning party in Germany?

1. Summary of the results

The CDU/CSU is definitively positioned as a center-right party in Germany's political spectrum ^[1]. It is specifically described as a "Christian democratic and conservative political party" ^[2] and has recently won approximately 28% of the vote in federal elections ^[3]. Under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, who became Germany's first center-right leader since Angela Merkel's departure in 2021 ^[1], the party continues to emphasize conservative values and economic priorities ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual points are worth noting:

• The party is positioned specifically to the right of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) ^[3], helping to understand its relative position in German politics
• The CDU/CSU is considered the "major party of the centre-right in German politics" ^[2], indicating its significant role in representing conservative interests
• The party has a specific Christian democratic identity alongside its conservative orientation ^[2], which distinguishes it from purely conservative parties
• There's a historical context of the party leading conservative governments in Germany ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question's binary framing of "left or right" misses important nuance:

• The term "right-leaning" needs qualification - the CDU/CSU is specifically center-right, not far-right ^[1]
• The party's identity is more complex than just its position on the left-right spectrum, incorporating both Christian democratic and conservative elements ^[2]
• The question overlooks the party's role as a dominant force in German politics, having recently won a significant portion of the federal vote ^[3]