A critical juncture awaits Germany’s governing coalition as leaders from the CDU, CSU and SPD convene late Thursday afternoon for a crucial coalition committee meeting. The agenda is expected to center primarily on the highly debated proposal for an industrial electricity price, a move proponents argue is essential to safeguarding Germany’s energy-intensive industries and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grappling with soaring costs.
CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn articulated the urgency, stating that lowering electricity prices is paramount. He anticipates decisions regarding the implementation of the industrial electricity price scheme, alongside potential measures to reactivate natural gas power plants as a means of ensuring affordable energy supply. This proposal has faced scrutiny, with critics raising concerns about potential market distortions and the long-term viability of the scheme.
Notably absent from the meeting’s immediate focus is the contentious pensions dispute. While coalition leaders previously reached an agreement on a pension package, internal discord festers as the “Junge Gruppe” (Young Group) within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group has rejected the accord. This internal resistance highlights the fragility of the coalition’s unity and underscores the complex political calculations underpinning policy decisions.
The unusual location of the committee – within the Bundestag itself – is reportedly due to parallel proceedings in the Bundestag’s evening session, which include several roll-call votes. This proximity to the parliamentary process suggests a desire to communicate the coalition’s decisions to the wider legislature swiftly. A joint press conference featuring CDU leader Friedrich Merz, SPD’s Lars Klingbeil, CSU head Markus Söder and Labor Minister Bärbel Bas is scheduled for 7:00 PM, where the outcomes of the meeting are expected to be announced, potentially offering further insight into the coalition’s strategic direction and the compromises made behind closed doors amidst growing political pressure.