Christina Stumpp steps down as CDU deputy general secretary following party leadership talks

Leadership change in the CDU

The deputy general secretary of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christina Stumpp, will step down from her party post on 21 September 2026. The departure follows direct discussions between Stumpp and party chairman Friedrich Merz, who serves as German Chancellor. The CDU announced the decision on Friday evening, days after an election defeat in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Merz plans to propose 41-year-old lawmaker Michael Hose to party committees as the acting successor. Stumpp, who is 38 years old, will continue to serve as a member of the Bundestag representing Baden-Württemberg.

Public denial and internal negotiations

Reports regarding Stumpp's departure emerged earlier in the week. The outlet Table.Briefings and Robin Alexander's podcast Machtwechsel reported that Merz had advised her to step down from the leadership role, though Stumpp initially resisted the request. On Wednesday morning, Stumpp publicly rejected the reports on the social media platform X.

“That is incorrect. I remain deputy general secretary of the CDU of Germany.”

The wider CDU leadership declined to comment on the reports while internal discussions continued. The talks concluded with an agreement that Stumpp would step down on 21 September, the day immediately following state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Four years in the municipal coordination role

Merz created the position of deputy general secretary in 2022, and the CDU federal party congress elected Stumpp to the office in September 2022. Her portfolio focused on connecting the federal party headquarters in Berlin with local branches and supporting campaigns during municipal elections. Stumpp visited roughly 75% of the party's district associations, represented approximately 72,500 honorary and full-time municipal officials, and established the women@cdu network to encourage female participation in local governance. Stumpp stated that serving the municipal representatives was an honor and expressed gratitude to Merz for his trust and cooperation.

“Christina Stumpp has worked integratively in our party with high personal commitment.”

Regional balance in party management

The leadership change follows an earlier reshuffle in July 2026, when general secretary Carsten Linnemann left the post to join the federal cabinet as Health Minister. Merz replaced Linnemann with Franziska Hoppermann from Hamburg, a decision that Stumpp reportedly opposed at the time. When asked about the friction, Hoppermann stated she expected constructive cooperation. In announcing Hose's nomination, Merz emphasized that the party of German unity must reflect both eastern and western Germany across its leadership. Hose, a Thuringian lawmaker and former school principal from Erfurt, will join Hoppermann to form the party's executive management.