Dennis Radtke, the chairman of the Christian Democratic Employees’ Union (CDA), slammed the CDU for tainting discussions about social‑state reform with its own agenda. He told “Focus” that “loud, individual demands that set off a reaction across half the country are already killing the debate politically before the relevant committees even have a chance to discuss it”. Radtke added that the point of the reforms isn’t to let a handful of MPs or officials sit back contentedly with the outcome or to stage personal show‑stops. Looking at how the Union handles communication, he said, “We’ve already had enough painful experiences. I’ve always believed that learning through pain is uncomfortable, yet it does have an effect”.