Frank Werneke, the head of the Verdi trade union, has announced preparations for protests concerning proposed cuts to social services. Speaking to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, Werneke stated that the union is actively preparing actions related to the health care reform, and that both he and the affiliated alliance plan to increase public visibility over the coming weeks and months. This alliance represents a wide reach, encompassing social and welfare associations and covering 20 million people.
While Werneke acknowledged several positive steps taken by the federal government-specifically mentioning the €500 billion special fund, the Federal Solidarity Law, and the stabilization of pensions until 2031-he offered sharp criticism concerning deeper structural issues. He argued that, in his view, efforts spearheaded by employer associations represent a coordinated attack on virtually every pillar of the welfare state. According to Werneke, this attack targets labor rights, job protection rules, pay continuation during periods of illness, and core social security areas such as health care, care services, and pensions.
The union leader questioned the ideological foundation of segments within the ruling coalition. He stated that certain figures, naming Friedrich Merz, Katherina Reiche, Carsten Linnemann, and Jens Spahn, appear convinced that an economic revival can only be achieved through social spending cuts and the dismantling of existing labor rights. Werneke strongly rejected this viewpoint, calling it an “absolute misanalysis and a wrong path”.