Merz tells Young Union pension reform should clear Bundestag in early 2027
At the youth wing's congress in Bonn, the chancellor pledged a tough reform course and full implementation of the pension deal. One delegate called for his resignation; applause was muted.
Archive image · Photo: Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz promised a tough reform agenda on Saturday, addressing some 300 delegates at the congress of the Young Union, the CDU/CSU youth wing, in Bonn. He wants to implement the pension commission's proposals "as they lie on the table," Merz said, according to dpa. The cabinet is to approve the reform this year, with a first reading in parliament before year's end and a final vote in early 2027. He rejected changes to retirement at 63 sought by the SPD and three eastern CDU state premiers.
On the state of his coalition with the Social Democrats, Merz said he would not place its survival "above every conceivable political achievement that we must deliver." He drew the most applause for distancing himself from the far-right AfD and the Left party, accusing both of playing down Russia's war against Ukraine. CDU members who help the AfD to power in Saxony-Anhalt have "absolutely no place" in the party, he said. He also rejected criticism by SPD politician Manuela Schwesig over the Union's treatment of former Labor Minister Bärbel Bas.
During questions, a delegate from Bavaria urged Merz to resign, Der Tagesspiegel reported, telling him to drive to the federal president and ask to be dismissed. Merz did not respond directly and stressed the importance of a stable government. Applause after the nearly hour-long speech lasted less than a minute, dpa reported; delegates said it was not a big breakthrough but at least a rapprochement with the youth wing. CSU leader Markus Söder is expected on Sunday.