Manuel Hagel: Equal opportunities and brass band effect in focus!

Manuel Hagel: Equal opportunities and brass band effect in focus!

In a lively discussion at the CDU Meßstetten autumn festival, Manuel Hagel, the CDU's top candidate for the 2026 state elections in Baden-Württemberg, answered questions from the audience in the Hartheim festival hall. Hagel, properly supported by Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, the Balingen constituency representative and Minister of Economic Affairs, left no doubt that the economic situation in Baden-Württemberg is important to him. He explained that the country is doing better economically than many other federal states, which cannot be overlooked.

Hagel made it clear how important equal opportunities are to him with his maxim: “Equal opportunities at the start, not equal results at the finish.” He underpinned this attitude with the demand to abolish technician and master craftsman fees after the tuition fees had been successfully placed in the archives. In doing so, he shows that he has a good knack for the concerns of training.

Cityscape debate and migration

A key point in his speech was the cityscape debate, which was sparked by a statement by Chancellor Friedrich Merz about asylum seekers. Hagel emphasized the necessity of migration for the labor market and emphasized that it should not serve to put a strain on social systems. It is important to him to build a “golden bridge” to AfD voters in order to bring them back to the center of society. In addition, Hagel announced that he would strengthen dual training by making a week of career orientation compulsory from the fifth grade onwards.

During the discussion, Hagel also clarified that bureaucratic hurdles for the construction industry should be reduced and investments should be prioritized. In this context, Joachim Link, IHK Vice President, called for the economy to be strengthened in order to be able to effectively support the welfare state.

Youth unemployment and the brass band effect

Another exciting topic was the so-called “brass music effect,” which Hagel described as a positive influence on young people. In this context, he highlighted the encouraging fact that Baden-Württemberg has the lowest youth unemployment in Europe. This is no coincidence, but the result of well-thought-out educational policy and economic foresight.

A humorous moment of the event was when an audience member asked Hagel a very specific question: Would he choose the phrase “So help me God” when taking the oath of office? Hagel answered in the affirmative and made it clear that he has a strong commitment to Christianity, while expressing concerns about the de-Christianization of the country without conveying a negative opinion of Islam.

Future coalitions and the Greens

At the end of his remarks, Hagel ventured a look at possible coalitions and stated that he would prefer to govern with the FDP. He sees two options: Black-Green or a coalition of CDU, SPD and FDP. Questions about who could replace the Greens after Winfried Kretschmann were also floating around, as the “entire Kretschmann generation” will soon be quitting.

Hagel's convincing arguments and his drive during the event showed that he is a candidate who has his finger on the pulse of the times. His approach to education, migration policy and the economy promises to put Baden-Württemberg on a successful course. More about his views and his current political activities can be found in Schwarzwälder Bote.