BERLIN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Germany's governing conservative parties, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), presented on Monday their joint program for the upcoming federal election in September.
The 140-page manifesto entitled "Program for stability and renewal. Together for a modern Germany" was officially unveiled here by chancellor candidate Armin Laschet and CSU leader Markus Soeder.
"We combine consistent climate protection with economic strength and social security," Laschet said. "We are making Germany a climate-neutral industrial country" that would provide good and secure jobs.
Germany could make "decisive progress in climate protection" if the country focused on innovations and new technologies, for example by supporting consumers in investing in particularly resource-friendly digital technologies, according to the program.
Despite the massive national debt caused by the COVID-19 crisis, the CDU/CSU coalition has firmly rejected tax increases. At the same time, the parties promised to provide tax reliefs for low- and medium-income individuals and for families with children.
Stressing that the CDU/CSU's position has improved significantly as polls now put the union in the lead, Soeder said the manifesto meant "preserving the good, discovering the new, daring to set out, but shaping it with certainty." Enditem
