Jens Spahn, the head of the CDU unions parliamentary group, dismissed the recent criticisms of Chancellor Friedrich Merz by Matthias Miersch, the chairman of the SPD parliamentary group. Speaking to “Bild” (Friday edition), Spahn argued that such remarks undermine the Chancellor’s work during challenging times. He stressed that constantly speaking against one another rather than cooperating would not improve the coalition’s work, concluding that the parties should instead concentrate on the extensive tasks that need to be accomplished together.
The criticism had originated from Miersch, who sharply challenged Merz’s statements regarding the statutory pension, which Merz described as “basic security”. Miersch also objected to Merz’s call for a “respect for the better-off” accusing the Chancellor of excessive impulsivity and suggesting that such behavior was inappropriate for leading a Chancellery.