The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is convening a leadership retreat to address a deep crisis following a disappointing election result in Eastern Germany. The party’s future as a major political force is at stake, with implications potentially reaching the position of the Chancellor. At the beginning of the meeting, leaders were notably reserved in their public statements. The CDU is attempting to find a way to recover from what is being described as an electoral “disaster” in Eastern Germany. The discussions will likely focus on identifying the causes of the poor performance and formulating a strategy for regaining support. The outcome of this retreat is considered crucial for the CDU’s trajectory and its prospects in future elections.