In the Middle

The CDU has traditionally been seen as a conservative party that promotes traditional family values and strong business ties. But the party decided to reaffirm its commitment to swing voters at its meeting in the northern German city of Hanover this week.

Under the slogan "party of the center" the CDU will try to distinguish itself from coalition partner and rival, the left-leaning Social Democrats (SPD).

Two years into her term as chancellor, Merkel made it clear that her party needs to go beyond their traditional base if they want to be able to choose their own coalition partners in the next elections.

"We are in the center, and only us," Merkel told delegates at the party conference.

Merkel critical of SPD's move left

Merkel attacked the SPD's decision in October to reverse a key job market reform. The SPD shifted to the left at its party congress in Hamburg in an attempt to win back support lost to the Left Party.

Merkel, 53, said the Social Democrats "renounced the center a few weeks ago."

"With all the strength that comes from the centre we say: socialism has done enough damage in Germany. We don't ever want socialism again," Merkel said.

Yet the chancellor faces a balancing act. While she needs to stake out a clear position for the CDU, she will also need to keep the "grand coalition" together until the 2009 elections.

CDU's popularity on the upswing

Merkel's party has benefitted from her personal popularity and from Germany's economic boom. A recent poll put the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) at 40 percent.

In contrast, the SPD has fallen to 26 percent as the junior partner in Merkel's "grand coalition." Another survey published Saturday showed 57 percent of people polled said they did not want the coalition to return to power after the elections scheduled for 2009.

Conservative values remain central

Merkel has said she wants to create a "society of opportunity" and use a big-tent approach to the party's vision. Analysts also expect the Hanover congress to restate core CDU values and policies.

Merkel said her party would do "everything to create jobs and nothing to destroy them."

The CDU is also expected to voice its support for advocating more money for families who choose to keep their small children at home.

The CDU also rejected full European Union membership for Turkey. Merkel has repeatedly declared her preference that Turkey be given a "privileged partnership" instead of EU membership.

"We are committed to a privileged partnership for Turkey, but we are opposed to full membership for Turkey in the European Union," Merkel said at the party conference Monday.

The CDU will also focus on integrating immigrants into "predominent German culture" instead of embracing multiculturalism.

While the government agreed on a deal to introduce a minimum wage for postal workers, Merkel said other deals would be considered on a case-by-case basis. She said she was opposed to the introduction of an "across-the-board" minimum wage.