Germany's center-right bloc of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU) has unanimously voted in favor of an election program that promises to lower taxes and stop illegal migration.

The CDU/CSU wants to reduce income tax and gradually lower taxes for companies to 25%. It promises not to cut old age pensions and plans to encourage those who want to continue working beyond retirement age of 67, allowing them to earn up to €2,000 ($2,100) per month tax-free on top of their pension.

The bold ideas of CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz will cost billions of euros, and will be extremely hard to implement if the CDU/CSU refuses to ease the "debt brake." Enshrined in Germany's Basic Law, the brake limits fresh debt to a maximum of 0.35% of economic output (GDP).

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The CDU/CSU is in favor of expanding video surveillance in public places and introducing automated facial recognition at train stations and airports.

It wants Germany to take on more responsibility within NATO and to spend more than 2% of GDP on defense. They welcome the stationing of extensive weapons systems in Germany and vow to support Ukraine "with all necessary diplomatic, financial and humanitarian means and arms deliveries."

The CDU/CSU vows to continue to support Israel militarily and advocates a two-state solution in the Middle East.

With regard to China, the CDU/CSU speaks of "systemic competition." It wants to maintain close economic relations and at the same time reduce critical economic dependencies, and step up protection for critical infrastructure and security-relevant technology.

The CDU/CSU wants to continue engagement in the global South and the Asia-Pacific region to offset the rising influence of China and Russia.

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