Calls for a potential adjustment to Germany’s retirement age have sparked significant criticism from within the parliamentary Green Party and the Left Party, directed towards Economics Minister Katarina Reiche.
Ines Schwerdtner, leader of the Left Party, accused Minister Reiche of aligning with the interests of employers, stating she is “seamlessly participating in the campaign of the employers’ side against the social state”. Schwerdtner argued that the inclusion of industry lobbyists within the government is leading to policies that are not in the majority’s best interest. She emphasized that after four decades of work, individuals deserve a pension guaranteeing a minimum standard of living and should not be compelled to continue working.
Highlighting Germany’s robust and productive workforce, Schwerdtner stressed the importance of well-maintained infrastructure and a strong social safety net as contributing factors to the country’s economic competitiveness. She warned against jeopardizing this system through short-sighted business practices.
The Green Party in the Bundestag echoed the concerns, criticizing Minister Reiche for overlooking the already increasing working hours. Andreas Audretsch, parliamentary vice chair of the Green Party, noted that the retirement age is already scheduled to gradually rise to 67 by 2031. He suggested that Minister Reiche’s proposals demonstrate a disconnect from the realities faced by many Germans, particularly those in physically demanding professions.
Audretsch advocated for incentivizing extended working periods through voluntary means and offering targeted support. He proposed measures such as age-appropriate working time models and financial incentives. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to facilitate greater working hours for women, estimating that enabling them to work according to their preferences could generate the equivalent of 850,000 full-time positions. He suggested achieving this through adjustments to tax law and improvements to childcare provisions.