A growing chorus of voices from within Germany’s major political parties is raising concerns about the perceived marginalization of younger generations in current policy debates. Members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Left party are expressing frustration that the concerns and needs of younger citizens are not being adequately addressed.
The recent discussions surrounding potential changes to mandatory military service have been cited as a prime example of policy decisions being made without sufficient consideration for the impact on young people. Donata Vogtschmidt, a member of the Left party, told “Der Spiegel” that the debate highlighted how decisions impacting the future of young people are often made by those no longer directly affected.
Concerns extend beyond conscription to encompass broader economic issues, particularly regarding the sustainability of the current pension system. Johannes Winkel, a CDU parliamentarian, argued that resources are disproportionately allocated to the benefit of older citizens, a trend exacerbated by the ongoing demographic shift and the increasing number of individuals leaving the workforce. He emphasized that the current system is mathematically unsustainable, a point supported by economists across the political spectrum, yet seemingly ignored by policymakers. He suggested tying the retirement age to life expectancy and restricting early retirement to those who can demonstrate physically demanding work history.
Jakob Blankenburg, an SPD representative, echoed these sentiments, warning that his generation risks falling behind. He criticized a trend towards prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term planning in government decision-making. This, he argued, is particularly evident in the area of climate policy, where progress often requires restarting initiatives. He suggested that current policies lack foresight and do not adequately consider the consequences 15 years down the line.
The chairman of the Young Union has called for changes to the pension system and highlighted the need for a more equitable distribution of resources that takes into account the concerns and future prospects of younger demographic groups.
