The parliamentary group leader of the Left party in the Bundestag, Heidi Reichinnek, has defended her party’s planned abstention during the upcoming vote on the government’s pension package, emphatically stating the decision is rooted in the substance of the legislation and not a political maneuver to bolster the Chancellor’s position.
Speaking to RTL and n-tv television stations, Reichinnek asserted, “We are not rescuing Mr. Merz; we are protecting the pensions of over 21 million people in this country”. She pointed to the stark reality of widespread pensioner poverty, noting that nearly one in five retirees currently faces financial hardship or exists under the threat of it, a figure that has almost doubled since the pension level was reduced from 53% to 48%. “Therefore, we, as the Left party, are unequivocally demanding a return to the 53% level.
Reichinnek fiercely dismissed any expectation of concessions from the conservative Union faction in exchange for the Left’s abstention. “We have not spoken with the Union on this matter” she stated, directly addressing speculation regarding backroom deals. “This is neither about Mr. Merz, Mr. Spahn, nor the Union itself. It is about achieving something for the people of this country. We fundamentally need a different pension system, one that all working individuals contribute to – there is no generational conflict here, but a conflict of distribution, a conflict the Union demonstrably avoids.
She expressed skepticism that the Union would reassess its prior decision to exclude the Left party from collaborative efforts following the vote. “The irony is striking: there is seemingly nothing worse for the Union than the pension package passing solely due to our abstention. Heads will roll, I guarantee it”. She reiterated, “Our focus remains on the people of this country and the security of their pensions.
Addressing the contentious issue of Germany’s debt brake (Schuldenbremse), Reichinnek indicated a potential willingness to align with the Union and the SPD on certain steps towards reform. While advocating for the complete abolition of the debt brake, she suggested a pragmatic approach, stating, “Every step in that direction is the right step and we will carefully examine the commission’s proposals and act accordingly”. This conditional support highlights a willingness to engage in negotiation despite ideological divisions, framing the discussion as one of strategic pragmatism rather than unconditional party allegiance.