He is following in big footsteps: the grandson of long-time Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Johannes Volkmann, was elected as the youngest member of the Federal Executive Board at the CDU party conference.
The CDU federal party conference began on Monday (May 6th). The members of the CDU not only re-elected their chairman Friedrich Merz as party leader, Johannes Volkmann, grandson of CDU Chancellor Helmut Kohl, was also elected as the youngest member of the CDU federal executive board. The 27-year-old received a total of 70.1 percent of the valid votes.
In the video: “Germany is the wrong-way driver” – Merz fires at the traffic lights in his party conference speech
Applause for criticism of the traffic light government
Volkmann was already able to gain his first political experience in the European Parliament and appeared self-confident and critical of traffic lights in his application speech on Monday.
To applause, Volkmann said: “The traffic light has nothing to offer my generation – except perhaps cannabis,” and followed up with: “That’s why the traffic light has to go.” The CDU politician announced that as a board member he would particularly support the concerns of young people. “So that young people can look forward to the future again.”
Volkmann also comments on Merkel
Kohl’s grandson Johannes Volkmann has spoken out in favor of a balanced assessment of the era of the former CDU leader and Chancellor Angela Merkel. “We should have a differentiated look at the 16 years of Angela Merkel,” said the 27-year-old local politician from Lahnau before the three-day CDU party conference in Berlin.
We should have a differentiated look at the 16 years of Angela Merkel.
Johannes Volkmann, CDU politician
The CDU made mistakes under Merkel, which should be clearly stated, for example in the areas of migration, energy or pension policy. “We need new answers for this. We will give them here at the party conference.”
At the same time, the CDU also did a lot right during Merkel’s 16 years. Germany is exposed to major crises been, for example the euro crisis. “Angela Merkel was an anchor of stability for the European Union and was reliable. Germany was respected on the world stage.” The traffic light government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) “destroyed that in just a few months”.
In the video: Merz confirmed as CDU leader – party wants to govern again
The career of Johannes Volkmann
After studying economics, political science and sociology and studying in China and Great Britain, Volkmann works as an office manager for a Hessian member of the European Parliament. He is chairman of the district council of the Lahn-Dill district and has been district chairman of the CDU Lahn-Dill since February 2024.