After the CDU party congress, fresh tensions are emerging between the black‑red coalition partners. The CDU has decided, among other measures, to scrap telephone sick notes, tighten the statutory right to part‑time work, and tighten regulations on compulsory military service. The SPD signals opposition.
Dirk Wiese, SPD’s first parliamentary co‑chair of the Bundestag faction, told the Bild (Monday edition) that “a telephone sick note is absolutely sensible. It relieves practices and prevents further infections in waiting rooms”. He added that, “as agreed in the coalition contract, it is right to take action against ‘unethical online sick notes.’ We should focus on that as a coalition, rather than questioning useful rules and treating patients as suspects” Wiese said.
Wiese also said that the SPD sees no urgent need for change in military service. “We recently passed a new military service law that repositions our service in light of new defence‑policy challenges. These new rules should now take effect” he explained. “They strengthen the armed forces and set the right incentives to achieve personnel‑growth targets”.
Regarding reform of the statutory right to part‑time work, Wiese stressed that people have many reasons for working part‑time-looking after children or elderly relatives, volunteering, or having to reduce hours for health reasons. “It is not our place to criticize life plans” he said. Decision freedom must remain; a “full‑time compulsion à la CDU” is not acceptable.