A new generation of German conservatives has grown to adulthood since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. This generation is getting tired of the passionless politics that have dominated Germany since the election of Chancellor Angela Merkel. This, undoubtedly, is why the youth arm of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union is looking to more charismatic leaders.

On November 15, delegates from the Junge Union Deutschlands (JU), the youth arm of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, celebrated the arrival of a renowned guest of honor to their National Assembly at Castle Guteneck—European Union anti-bureaucracy czar Edmund Stoiber. The JU only admits German conservatives between the ages of 14 and 35, yet Stoiber has taken a key interest in the group to which he once belonged.

As Stoiber stepped to the lectern, delegates clapped rhythmically and chanted, “There is only one Edmund Stoiber.” During his half-hour lecture, Stoiber criticized those politicians who legislate only short-term successes. He proved that he has a long-term vision for Europe by saying that hard decisions have to be made that might bear fruit only after 10 to 15 years.

After the meeting, Weiden-JU-Chair Michael Bilher said of Stoiber: “He was our number one, he is our number one and he will always remain our number one.”

Stoiber, however, does not see himself as the only major politician working for Germany’s best interest. During his lecture, he praised the efforts of another prominent German politician who grew up under his tutelage—German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg. “It is good for us that we have someone on the international scene who holds the flag of the [Christian Social Union] high,” said Stoiber of Guttenberg.

Stoiber and Guttenberg carry a mutual respect for each other’s political achievements. Recently Guttenberg strongly endorsed Stoiber’s efforts to cut EU red tape. Now Stoiber has endorsed Guttenberg’s efforts to keep German conservatism alive in the current federal coalition.

Both men are becoming increasingly popular among Germany’s conservative youth. In October, Stoiber endeared himself to the Junge Union Deutschlands by verbally attacking the Left Party, opposing EU membership for Turkey and criticizing the lack of passion in Angela Merkel’s political campaign. The Times Online reports that Guttenberg’s “hip image” helps him “reach out to the young who often sit around drinking beer at his rallies.” His campaign rallies have even been labeled “Woodstock for conservatives.”

As the Trumpetdeclared just after Pope Benedict’s election, “Now that a Bavarian pope reigns in the Vatican, we must wonder how Europe would change were a Bavarian premier to take the German chancellorship—or, more significantly, a position at the top of the European Union. We have been looking for a strong church-state connection to take hold in Europe, steered by the Vatican and Germany.” Stoiber and Guttenberg are both Bavarians and staunch supporters of the papacy.

The old guard in German politics is on the way out and a new guard is on the rise. Germany’s new generation of conservatives is looking for charismatic, staunchly traditional, right-wing, Roman Catholic statesmen of the caliber of Edmund Stoiber and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. Watch the political fortunes of these men.