Sven Schulze, the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, has criticized the statements made by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding pension reform. Speaking to the “Stern” Schulze argued that in Eastern Germany, pensions often serve as the sole foundation for a dignified retirement, rather than merely being one of several potential safeguards. He emphasized that a sufficient pension is “existentially important” for the populace and vital for maintaining “social peace” across the region. Consequently, he requested that the Pensions Commission not only acknowledge the specific situation in Saxony-Anhalt and Eastern Germany but also integrate this reality into its proposed solutions.
Schulze highlighted several structural reasons for this unique dependency. He noted, for instance, that fewer people in the former East states receive company pensions. Furthermore, he pointed out that many residents lacked the necessary funds to contribute to private retirement savings, and there was generally less available wealth, property, or inheritance to protect against old-age poverty.
Beyond the economic factors, Schulze also addressed the demographic realities of his federal state. He stated that Saxony-Anhalt has a particularly large population group, noting that the average age in the state is approximately 48 years-about 3.5 years higher than the national average.