Kramp-Karrenbauer plans a comeback: a challenge for the CDU?

Kramp-Karrenbauer plans a comeback: a challenge for the CDU?

The political stage is currently tense due to the comeback of Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (AKK). The former CDU federal chairwoman has announced that she will apply for the chairmanship of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). This reports az online. Norbert Lammert, the incumbent chairman, will step down from office in December 2025 after seven years, and the election to replace him will take place on December 19, 2025. Kramp-Karrenbauer is enthusiastic about the opportunity and described running for office as a “great honor.”

There are already initial proposals for her candidacy in the CDU, but the current Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has another favorite: Günter Krings, the previous deputy parliamentary group leader. Krings was initially the legal policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group from December 2021 to May 2025 and currently heads the CDU state group in North Rhine-Westphalia. Kramp-Karrenbauer brings a high level of experience as a former party leader and ex-defense minister, but could face resistance within the party due to her closeness to Angela Merkel.

Political roots and challenges

Kramp-Karrenbauer's political roots go back to 1981, when she became active in the CDU. In the past, she was able to achieve significant successes both as Prime Minister of Saarland and as Chairwoman of the CDU, even if she was faced with challenges in federal politics. Her approval within the CDU was characterized by mixed feelings until the end - her time as party leader was not without difficulties, especially due to the poor election results in the 2019 European elections.

In February 2025, Kramp-Karrenbauer ended her membership in the Central Committee of German Catholics and expressed sharp criticism of her own party's migration policy. This turn of events could further complicate her chances of returning to top politics, even though she is on the KAS board and many in the party support her. She has already received positive feedback, but the Union's Parliamentary Managing Director, Steffen Bilger, pointed out that “there is still a lot in flux”.

The race for the KAS chairmanship

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which employs around 1,600 people worldwide, will have to prepare for an exciting successor. Both candidates, Kramp-Karrenbauer and Krings, bring different backgrounds and support. While Krings receives support from Merz, the support of Roland Koch, the former Prime Minister of Hesse, is also important. This shows how linked the personnel issues in the CDU are to the balance of power in the political system.

As a moderate and centrist Christian Democrat, Kramp-Karrenbauer has repeatedly advocated for a balance between social and economic aspects, but this did not save her from a decline in her popularity among voters. The latest developments in the CDU and the upcoming election campaign will show whether it can establish itself in a leadership position again or whether it ultimately finds the challenges too great.

The members of the KAS will decide on December 19th where the path leads. The last few weeks and months have already brought some interesting developments, and with Kramp-Karrenbauer's possible comeback, political events in Germany have the potential to become even more exciting.