Daniela Ludwig | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy General Secretary of theChristian Social Union | |
| In office 2018–2019 | |
| Leader | Horst Seehofer |
| Preceded by | Markus Blume |
| Succeeded by | Florian Hahn |
| Member of theBundestag | |
| Assumed office 2002 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Raab (1975-07-07)7 July 1975 (age 50) |
| Party |  German:Christian Social Union  EU:European People's Party |
| Alma mater | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
Daniela Ludwig (néeRaab, born 7 July 1975) is a German politician of theChristian Social Union (CSU) who has been serving as a member of theBundestag since 2002.
In addition to her work in parliament, Ludwig has been serving asParliamentary State Secretary at theFederal Ministry of the Interior in thegovernment ofChancellorFriedrich Merz since 2025.[1]
Ludwig studied law atLudwig Maximilian University of Munich until 2002.[2]
Ludwig joined theChristian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) at the age of 18. She was first elected to theBundestag in 2002. Since 2005 she has represented theelectoral district ofRosenheim. She also sits on the district council of theLandkreisRosenheim.[2] Ludwig was deputy general secretary of the CSU in 2018–19.[3] She was the spokesperson on transport policy for theCDU/CSU group.[2]
In the negotiations to form aGrand Coalition ofChancellorAngela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU together with the Bavarian CSU) and the SPD following the2013 federal elections, Ludwig was part of the CDU/CSU delegation in the working group on families, women and equality, led byAnnette Widmann-Mauz andManuela Schwesig. In similar negotiations following the2017 federal elections, she was part of the working group on transport and infrastructure, led byMichael Kretschmer,Alexander Dobrindt andSören Bartol.
From 2019 until 2021, Ludwig served as Commissioner on Narcotic Drugs at theFederal Ministry of Health in the government of Chancellor Merkel, succeedingMarlene Mortler. Her appointment was criticised by opposition politicians and activists due to her lack of experience on drug policy.[4] Later that year Ludwig sparked a debate onlegalising cannabis,[5] and stated that she wanted to find a compromise on liberalising the prohibition for personal recreational use.[6] At a press conference in July 2020, in response to a question about the legal status of alcohol compared to cannabis, Ludwig's stated that "Just because alcohol is dangerous and contentious, doesn't mean that cannabis is broccoli, okay?" This comment was widely ridiculed online.[7][8] She also called for a comprehensive ban onadvertisements for smoking, includinge-cigarettes.[9]
From 2022 to 2025, Ludwig served as chairwoman of the chairman of the Committee on the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure. She was also a member of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment.[10]
In the negotiations to form aGrand Coalition under the leadership ofFriedrich Merz's Christian Democrats and the SPD following the2025 German elections, Ludwig led the CSU delegation in the working group on government reform and cuttingred tape; her counterparts from the other parties werePhilipp Amthor andSonja Eichwede.[11]
In June 2017, Ludwig voted against Germany's introduction ofsame-sex marriage.[12] In 2024, Ludwig was elected as her party's spokesperson for "jewish life in Germany and relations to the state of Israel." In this position, she has expressed her support for the israeli government in theongoing war in Gaza and her adherence to the German concept of "Staatsraison." She supports arms deliveries to Israel.[13][14][15]
In 2019 Ludwig received theOrder of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Cross of Merit) for charitable engagement.[16]
Ludwig married Florian Ludwig, teacher and city councillor, in 2010.[17] They became parents of twins in 2011.[18]
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