The fragile stability of Germany’s ruling coalition is facing a critical test as resistance within the conservative CDU/CSU bloc threatens to derail a key pension reform package, raising the specter of a potential collapse. Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has issued a stark warning, suggesting the coalition’s demise could be triggered by what she characterized as a “technical detail” regarding the pension legislation.
Bas’s remarks, delivered to “Tagesspiegel”, directly targeted CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn, whose ability to secure the necessary votes within his own ranks is now being openly questioned. She asserted that any failure to pass the pension package would disproportionately benefit the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), positioning their gain as a direct consequence of internal CDU/CSU infighting.
The core of the dispute revolves around a younger faction within the CDU/CSU, whose opposition to certain aspects of the reform has drawn criticism from within the SPD. Bas cautioned that yielding to these demands would set a dangerous precedent, jeopardizing the SPD’s ability to secure passage of contentious legislation moving forward. She insists the proposal represents a carefully negotiated agreement and that repeated concessions from the SPD are unsustainable.
Highlighting a pattern of compromise, Bas emphasized the sacrifices the SPD has previously made to fulfill commitments outlined in the coalition agreement, often at considerable political cost. She specifically referenced the difficult decisions surrounding migration and family reunification policies, decisions that had sparked significant dissent within the SPD ranks. She expected reciprocity from the conservative bloc.
Adding pressure, Bas noted the support for the pension package from CDU leader Friedrich Merz and CSU chief Markus Söder, both of whom championed the proposal after its unanimous cabinet approval. She expressed frustration that internal CDU/CSU squabbles were undermining the coalition’s image and damaging its credibility.
Bas vehemently dismissed accusations from within the CDU/CSU suggesting she had pushed a hidden agenda through the coalition, firmly stating the pension package had been approved by the entire cabinet. She accused critics of manufacturing a generational conflict by rejecting a specific element of a larger, agreed-upon package, including crucial provisions like the “mothers’ and early start” pension. She further suggested those opposing the package had not actively participated in the coalition negotiations and were seemingly disregarding the established agreements. The situation underscores a profound tension within the German political landscape and raises serious questions about the coalition’s long-term viability.