A growing chorus of voices from within Germany’s major political parties is raising concerns about the perceived neglect of younger generations’ interests in current policy decisions. Several young parliamentarians from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Left party have articulated frustrations regarding a disconnect between the concerns of their age group and the direction of governmental action.
Donata Vogtschmidt, a parliamentarian from the Left party, highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding potential conscription changes as a prime example of policy being enacted without sufficient consideration for the impact on younger citizens. She argued that decision-makers largely unaffected by the proposals are disproportionately shaping the future for a demographic they do not directly experience.
Johannes Winkel, a CDU representative, echoed these sentiments, focusing on pension reforms. He warned that resources are increasingly being directed towards the benefit of older generations, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing demographic shift and the departure of the “boomer” generation from the workforce. He asserted that the current financial trajectory is unsustainable, a point corroborated by economists across the political spectrum, yet seemingly unheeded by policymakers. He suggested a need for re-evaluation.
The head of the Junge Union, the youth wing of the CDU, has proposed linking the retirement age to life expectancy and advocated for stricter limitations on early retirement, reserving such opportunities for individuals who can demonstrably prove physically demanding work contributing to their inability to continue.
Jakob Blankenburg, an SPD parliamentarian, expressed worry that his generation risks being marginalized. He criticized a tendency within the political landscape favouring short-term gains ahead of thoughtful, long-term planning. This, he observed, is particularly evident in climate policy, where efforts frequently necessitate restarting initiatives from the beginning. Blankenburg questioned the focus on immediate electoral impact over sustainable solutions.