A leading economic council affiliated with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has voiced concerns regarding recent statements made following a coalition committee meeting, implicitly critiquing CDU leader Friedrich Merz Wolfgang Steiger, Secretary General of the CDU Economic Council, told the “Rheinische Post” that while improved relations between leading government members were welcome, Merz’s prior assertion that Germany can no longer afford its current social welfare system remains valid Steiger emphasized that this necessarily implies the need for budget cuts This statement follows Merz’s declaration after the coalition meeting that the government does not intend to dismantle, abolish, or cut the social welfare system
Meanwhile, Heidi Reichinnek, leader of the Left Party parliamentary group, sharply criticized the Social Democrats (SPD) following the same coalition committee meeting Reichinnek accused the SPD of acquiescing to potential welfare cuts under pressure from Merz
She further criticized the coalition’s focus on austerity measures, arguing that targeting impoverished individuals will not solve Germany’s financial or economic challenges Reichinnek characterized the displayed “harmony” as a sign of the coalition’s “worrying lack of planning and courage” in addressing pressing national problems and a strengthening far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party