# Sven Schulze # Sven Schulze Sven Schulze (born 31 July 1979) is a German politician of the **Christian Democratic Union (CDU)** who has served as **Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt** since 28 January 2026. He succeeded Reiner Haseloff in the position, having previously acted as the state's Minister for Economic Affairs. Following the 6 September 2026 state election, in which the CDU received 17.2 percent of the vote, he has led a caretaker government pending election of a successor. He was elected chairman of the CDU parliamentary group in the Landtag on 8 September 2026. Schulze, a long-time CDU member, has held leadership roles within the party in Saxony-Anhalt, including as state chairman. His election as Minister-President came amid efforts to maintain a centrist government in the eastern German state ahead of broader political challenges. ## Early life and education ### Early years Sven Schulze was born on 31 July 1979 in Quedlinburg, a town in the Harz Mountains region of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. He grew up in this rural area shortly after German reunification, later recalling his experience as a 10-year-old during the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Schulze became involved in politics early by joining the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its youth wing, the Junge Union, in Saxony-Anhalt in 1997. ### Professional training Schulze completed his Abitur in 1998 at the Europa-Gymnasium Stephaneum in Aschersleben, followed by Zivildienst, before pursuing higher education. From 1999 to 2007, he studied industrial engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) at the Technische Universität Clausthal, earning a Diplom degree in the field. Following his studies, Schulze worked as an engineer from 2007 to 2014 in a medium-sized mechanical engineering company, including employment at Eckold GmbH & Co. KG. This early professional experience in engineering provided foundational expertise in technical and economic processes. ## Political career ### Youth and local involvement Schulze joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its youth wing, the Junge Union (JU), in 1997. He began his local political engagement as a member of the Heteborn city council, serving from 1998 to 2007. This role marked his entry into grassroots governance in his home region of Saxony-Anhalt. From 2004 to 2007, Schulze expanded his local involvement by serving on the Quedlinburg district council. In 2006, he was elected chairman of the Junge Union in Saxony-Anhalt, leading the organization until 2014 and focusing on youth mobilization within the CDU. That same year, he joined the state executive board of the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt, contributing to early party leadership at the regional level. ### European Parliament service Sven Schulze was elected as a Member of the [European Parliament](/organizations/european-parliament) (MEP) for Germany in the 2014 European elections, representing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) as part of the [European People's Party](/organizations/european-people-s-party) (EPP) Group. He served from May 2014 until 2021, focusing primarily on transport, tourism, and economic policy issues affecting small and medium-sized enterprises. During his tenure, Schulze was assigned to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), where he later served as Vice-Chair. In this role, he contributed to debates on rail passengers' rights and obligations, as well as EU support measures for the hospitality sector amid tourism challenges. He also addressed labor mobility issues, such as the posting of workers in the care sector, advocating for rules that facilitate market access without undue restrictions. As an EPP Group member, Schulze participated in the delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China from July 2019 to September 2021, emphasizing balanced economic engagements. His work aligned with CDU priorities on fostering competitive European markets, though specific authored reports were not prominently highlighted in parliamentary records. Schulze's service concluded in 2021 to pursue state-level responsibilities in Germany. ### State leadership roles Sven Schulze was elected state chairman of the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt in March 2021. In this leadership role, he has directed the party's organizational efforts and internal coordination within the state, focusing on strengthening CDU positions amid regional political challenges. Schulze's chairmanship coincided with his appointment as State Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry later that year. As state chairman, Schulze was designated the CDU's top candidate for Minister-President in the lead-up to the 2026 state election, positioning him to helm the party's campaign strategy. ### Ministerial positions Sven Schulze (born 31 July 1979), a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician, was appointed State Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry in Saxony-Anhalt's third Haseloff government in September 2021. In this role, he oversaw portfolios aimed at fostering economic growth, promoting tourism accessibility, and supporting agricultural sustainability within the state. Under Schulze's leadership, the ministry advanced initiatives to bolster economic development, including strategies for innovation and startup ecosystems backed by around €70 million in European Union and state funding. He emphasized attracting skilled workers through campaigns like "Germany's Hidden Champion," which targeted job vacancies and international recruitment efforts. Additionally, Schulze launched projects to integrate international talent, such as a model for language acquisition in Vietnam in partnership with DEHOGA and the Goethe Institute, to address labor needs in key sectors. In agriculture and forestry, Schulze promoted sustainable practices, including visits to eco-villages to explore agroforestry models for environmental and economic benefits. For tourism, he advanced accessibility by presenting certifications for barrier-free facilities, enhancing the sector's inclusivity. These efforts contributed to positioning Saxony-Anhalt for future industries and investments until Schulze's transition to Minister-President in January 2026. ## Recent developments ### 2026 state election In November 2025, the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt nominated Sven Schulze as its top candidate for the 2026 state election, with strong internal support amid efforts to counter the rising influence of the far-right [Alternative for Germany](/organizations/alternative-for-germany) (AfD) party. Schulze, leveraging his experience as State Minister for Economic Affairs, emphasized a strategy focused on "real life" concerns to appeal to voters disillusioned with AfD's approach, while firmly ruling out any cooperation with the AfD or [The Left](/organizations/the-left-slovenia). Following Reiner Haseloff's premature resignation, the Landtag convened for a parliamentary vote on 28 January 2026 to elect a new Minister-President, providing Schulze an early incumbency advantage ahead of the full state election later that year. The CDU-led coalition performed solidly, securing Schulze's election in the first ballot with 58 votes in favor and 38 against, reflecting sustained voter and parliamentary backing despite regional challenges from extremist parties. Key campaign themes centered on economic stability, including growth initiatives and addressing structural issues in Saxony-Anhalt's agriculture and tourism sectors, as Schulze positioned the CDU to tackle everyday regional concerns over ideological extremes. This approach aimed to consolidate moderate support in a state marked by depopulation and industrial transitions. The election on 6 September 2026 produced a heavy defeat for the CDU, which fell to 17.2 percent of the vote; the AfD became the strongest party with 43.8 percent. Schulze was subsequently elected leader of the CDU's 15-member parliamentary group. ### Formation of Schulze cabinet Sven Schulze was elected Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt by the state parliament on 28 January 2026, receiving the necessary majority in the first ballot to succeed Reiner Haseloff, who had resigned ahead of schedule. The election marked a leadership transition within the ongoing CDU-led coalition, allowing Schulze to assume office seven months before the scheduled state elections. The Schulze cabinet was sworn in on the same day, 28 January 2026, at the State Chancellery in Magdeburg, maintaining continuity with the third Haseloff government. The composition remained largely identical to its predecessor, comprising ministers from the CDU, SPD, and FDP in the established coalition structure, with Schulze's prior role as State Minister for Economic Affairs reassigned internally to preserve governmental stability. No positions were allocated to the AfD or The Left, reflecting the coalition's firm incompatibility resolution against cooperation with those parties. Early priorities under the new cabinet emphasized policy continuity from the Haseloff era, focusing on economic development and regional challenges amid the shortened term leading to anticipated elections. Schulze highlighted the need to strengthen Saxony-Anhalt's position within the federal framework, building on prior ministerial efforts in economic affairs to address immediate governance demands without major disruptions. ## Dated facts _No published facts on this page yet._ ## Methodology https://factrail.ai/methodology Canonical: https://factrail.ai/people/sven-schulze