German CDU’s Chief of Social Affairs Johannes Winkel has expressed his opposition to the mothers’ pension, a key aspect of the coalition agreement. According to Winkel, the proposal disproportionately affects the younger generation, who would bear the brunt of the reform.
In an interview with the Berlin Playbook-Podcast of POLITICO, Winkel stated that the mothers’ pension is not a good idea, particularly in times of fiscal constraint, when it is essential to prioritize sensible measures over less sensible ones. In his opinion, the mothers’ pension does not belong among the top three priorities of the coalition agreement.
Winkel’s stance has drawn criticism from both the SPD and the CDU, with some accusing him of lacking the will to reform the social insurance system. Although the mothers’ pension is a form of pension reform, Winkel argues that it is a burden on the younger generation, rather than a benefit to them.
Regarding the debate on a higher retirement age, Winkel stated that the CDU had been too cautious in the election program to openly advocate for a retirement age of 70. He believes that politics in Germany is too afraid of the baby boomer generation, which is often perceived as being resistant to reforms. However, Winkel suggests that the older generation is more open to reform than commonly assumed, citing that if people voted for the party that made the largest pension gifts, the SPD would have an absolute majority.