Vivian Tauschwitz Nominated to the Top Leadership of Germany's CDU Party

Germany's CDU is preparing for a personnel refresh of its top-level structures. The state party association in Lower Saxony has officially nominated Vivian Tauschwitz for the position of assessor (Beisitzerin) on the party's federal executive board. Tauschwitz, currently a member of the Bundestag, represents a new generation of politicians who combine professional experience with parliamentary activity. The 31-year-old politician previously served as an officer in the Bundeswehr, giving her candidacy particular significance in light of Europe's current geopolitical situation. The CDU's federal executive board is a key executive body of the party, making strategic programmatic and personnel decisions between party conferences. Historically, it is within this circle that the careers of future German chancellors, including Angela Merkel, were shaped.The candidate herself stated in an interview with the dpa news agency that her main goal is to actively contribute her expert knowledge in defense policy to the board's work. „I want to particularly actively contribute my knowledge in the field of defense policy to the work of the federal executive board.” — Vivian Tauschwitz Tauschwitz's move into the party's top leadership is interpreted as an attempt to strengthen the CDU's profile in national security and modernize the party's image. The decisive vote will take place during the federal party conference in Stuttgart, which begins on Friday, February 20, 2026. This nomination enjoys broad support from regional structures, which practically guarantees her election to the circle of the party leaders' closest collaborators. 31 years — the age of Vivian Tauschwitz, the new face in CDU leadershipThe selection of Tauschwitz fits into a broader trend within the Christian Democrats of promoting individuals with specific substantive achievements outside of politics. As a former military officer, Tauschwitz is set to become the face of proposals regarding army modernization and increased defense spending, which currently form one of the foundations of the CDU's program. Delegates gathered in Stuttgart will not only elect board members but also debate updates to the country's security strategy.[{"dateISO": "2026-02-17", "date": "February 17, 2026", "event": "Official nomination by the CDU state association"}, {"dateISO": "2026-02-20", "date": "February 20, 2026", "event": "Start of the federal party conference in Stuttgart"}, {"dateISO": "2026-02-21", "date": "February 21, 2026", "event": "Planned vote on the board's composition"}]