As expected, the party leadership's motion to position itself against the planned Baltic Sea National Park was passed at the Schleswig-Holstein CDU state party conference. The content had already become known in September, with six points in favour of protecting the Baltic Sea, but a national park was rejected. According to NDR, this motion was adopted "almost unanimously" by the delegates in Neumünster yesterday evening.
This means the end of the Baltic Sea National Park. Without the votes of the CDU, the draft bill, which is to be submitted to the cabinet in the course of next year, has no chance. The opposition parties SPD and FDP had also already spoken out against a Baltic Sea National Park.
The displeasure among the Greens was already great when the proposal became known. At the state party conference yesterday, Minister President Daniel Günther nevertheless declared his support for black-green cooperation: the coalition is capable of compromise and able to do good work together, he said according to NDR. In the run-up to the party conference, several environmental protection organisations had demonstrated in favour of a national park in front of the Holstenhallen, where the CDU was meeting.
CDU names six points for the protection of the Baltic Sea
Critical voices had recently become louder among the CDU party base, particularly from the districts of Ostholstein, Schleswig-Flensburg and Eckernförde. These regions would have been primarily affected by the establishment of a national park, with many fearing losses in the tourism, agriculture and fishing sectors. The water sports community has also spoken out loudly against a national park, including during two rallies in Fehmarnsund and Geltinger Bucht.
In its motion, however, the CDU continues to campaign for the protection of the Baltic Sea and names several measures. These range from clearing old munitions to voluntary action alliances. However, according to several reports, the ongoing consultations on the national park plans are to be continued for the time being.
