State election in Rhineland-Palatinate: This is what the CDU says about craft policy

Ahead of the state elections in Rhineland-Palatinate, the parliamentary groups represented in the state parliament are answering questions on issues related to skilled trades policy. Here you will find the CDU's answers.

State elections will be held in Rhineland-Palatinate on March 22, 2026. In the run-up to the election, the trade associations have published their demands. In them, they outline the framework conditions necessary to secure the future viability of skilled trades in the state. We asked the CDU – as well as the other parliamentary groups represented in the state parliament – ​​how they view these demands. Demands of the skilled trades regarding the state elections They stand and what their positions are.

➡️ You can find the positions of the other factions here. via this link

The CDU's lead candidate for the state election in Rhineland-Palatinate on March 22nd is Gordon SchniederThe member of the state parliament is also the state chairman of the CDU. 

DHB: How do you intend to improve the framework conditions for the skilled trades – what will you, as the future state government, do to ensure that an "industrial electricity tariff" also reaches the skilled trades?
CDU: For us in the CDU Rhineland-Palatinate, one thing is clear: skilled trades and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the heart of the Rhineland-Palatinate economy – our economy and prosperity depend significantly on them. Therefore, our goal is to create the best possible conditions, strengthen our businesses, and reward those who take responsibility and get things done.

The economy, and especially trades and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), needs reliable policies that create planning certainty and competitive conditions. This includes, in particular, affordable energy costs, which we aim to achieve by reducing the electricity tax for everyone – businesses and private households alike. We are advocating for this at the federal level. In this way, we want to ensure that energy cost relief explicitly benefits tradespeople and is not limited to manufacturing and agricultural businesses. Furthermore, we are committed to the rapid expansion of a secure and affordable energy and grid infrastructure, as well as a reduction in state-level burdens – such as the ideologically driven state climate protection law of the coalition government. This will ensure a noticeable reduction in overall energy costs and greater competitiveness for Rhineland-Palatinate as a business location and for its businesses.

DHB: How do you intend to reduce bureaucracy?
CDU: The CDU Rhineland-Palatinate stands for a consistent reduction of bureaucracy that will noticeably ease the daily burden on tradespeople and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We rely on a four-pillar model: First, unnecessary bureaucracy should be avoided at the legislative stage. Second, clear incentives should be created for the business- and citizen-friendly application of discretionary powers and a genuine cultural shift within public administration. Third, burdensome regulations should be systematically reviewed and abolished from day one. And fourth, fully digital and seamless processes should become the standard.

Furthermore, we will replace permit requirements with notification requirements wherever possible. We are introducing clear deadlines for authorities – if these deadlines are not met, the application will automatically be considered approved (deemed approval). In this way, we are streamlining, digitizing, and accelerating processes and reducing bureaucracy in ways that benefit our businesses.

DHB: How does the CDU intend to advance the education initiative?
CDU: For us in the CDU Rhineland-Palatinate, education is crucial for the future of our state. The foundations for our children's future are laid in early childhood education. The final year of kindergarten will be mandatory to ensure all children have a good start to school. Furthermore, we advocate for mandatory language proficiency assessments and individualized language support – because language is the key to a good education. In primary school, our Primary School Guarantee provides reliable instruction from 8 a.m. to 14 p.m. with a clear focus on the fundamental skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic, a free healthy lunch, and homework supervision at school. In this way, we ensure that support doesn't fail at the kitchen table and that genuine equal opportunities are guaranteed – regardless of family background. We are committed to maintaining and strengthening our differentiated school system.

This also includes the targeted further development of the Realschule plus (a type of secondary school), which combines theory and practice and thus makes a key contribution to securing skilled workers for our country. We will adapt the curricula in all types of schools to modern content, set clear standards, and ensure that employability is guaranteed. Furthermore, we are aiming for the introduction of centralized final examinations. Investment initiatives for the infrastructure and digitalization of our daycare centers, schools, and vocational schools will ensure that our educational institutions once again become places where children feel comfortable and teachers find the best possible conditions.

DHB: How do you intend to strengthen the – also societal – equality of dual vocational training and university studies in the future?
CDU: The CDU Rhineland-Palatinate is firmly committed to the equal value of vocational and academic education. We want vocational training to be valued as highly as university studies. Therefore, we are making master craftsman training free of charge and providing support for starting one's own business. We are strengthening career orientation through two mandatory internships starting in grade 7 and the introduction of a "Day of Crafts" in schools, where regional businesses can present themselves and students can experience the various skilled trades firsthand. We will modernize vocational schools and bring workshops, learning labs, and digital equipment up to date.

Furthermore, more vocational instructors and increased cooperation with companies and chambers of commerce will ensure practical training. We will strengthen vocational training centers and inter-company training facilities structurally, in terms of personnel, and financially. In addition, we intend to expand dual study programs and, to this end, gradually develop a university of applied sciences into a dual university to achieve a close integration of practical academic education and dual vocational training. We will strengthen counseling services for young people regarding various educational pathways and ensure affordable dormitory places – to this end, we are launching pilot projects with trainee dormitories at locations with block release courses.

DHB: How do you intend to boost housing construction and modernize the infrastructure?
CDU: For the CDU Rhineland-Palatinate, one thing is clear: a strong skilled trades sector and a successful small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) need affordable housing, modern and functioning infrastructure, and capable local authorities. In the area of ​​construction and housing, we therefore advocate for reviewing and reducing excessive regulations and standards, streamlining the state building code, and simplifying type approvals such as the "Building Type E".

We are accelerating processes through binding deadlines, consistent digitalization via a one-stop portal, and simplified procedures for conversion, densification, and use of existing buildings. At the same time, we are promoting serial and modular construction, simplifying procurement rules – especially in the social sector – and clearly prioritizing inner-city development over greenfield expansion to reduce development and infrastructure costs. 

To make homeownership easier, especially for young people and families, we are introducing the homeownership grant: This will subsidize the purchase of a first owner-occupied residential property with €10.000 per buyer and €5.000 per child. With regard to infrastructure, we will address the investment backlog of recent years and consistently push forward with the expansion and modernization of roads, bridges, railways, and mobile communications.

Furthermore, we will accelerate and digitize planning and approval processes, and strengthen the State Mobility Agency (LBM) in terms of personnel and organization so that projects can be implemented more quickly. A dedicated Rhineland-Palatinate infrastructure fund will ensure long-term planning security for construction companies. And because, in our view, participation should not be limited by where someone lives, we are sending a strong signal to the younger generation: all pupils and trainees will receive a Germany-wide public transport ticket financed by the state – regardless of where they live.

DHB: How do you intend to create investment opportunities for municipalities?
CDU: The CDU Rhineland-Palatinate stands for a fundamental reform of municipal financial equalization so that our municipalities regain their ability to act and urgently needed investments in schools, roads, digital networks, and social infrastructure are no longer neglected. We will replace fragmented funding programs with more general and dynamic financial allocations – this way, municipalities can decide locally how they want to use their funds. We will establish a hardship fund for particularly burdened municipalities, because no village, no town, and no district should be left behind.

Furthermore, the principle applies: whoever delegates tasks must also finance them – therefore, we are introducing a mandatory cost-benefit analysis and impact assessment for state laws. We will permanently abolish road construction fees and replace them with a permanent and reliable investment cost allowance funded by the state. We will significantly reduce municipal bureaucracy by reviewing standards and simplifying procedures. In this way, we are restoring trust, freedom, and financial strength to our municipalities – because those at the local level know best where investments are needed.

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