The proposal by Economics Minister Katarina Reiche (CDU) to extend working hours and weaken employee protection laws is encountering fierce opposition from coalition partner, the SPD. The move has ignited a simmering tension within the governing alliance and raised questions about the long-term stability of the political partnership.
SPD parliamentary representative Ralf Stegner, in a statement to “Tagesspiegel”, branded Reiche’s suggestions as “outdated, radical market-driven proposals for social dismantling” that are fundamentally incompatible with the SPD’s core principles. He warned of the disproportionate impact such reforms would have on lower-income workers, arguing they would “burden those who toil for our prosperity and often receive far less than they deserve.
Stegner emphasized the urgency of adhering to the terms of the existing coalition agreement. He accused Reiche of pursuing policies “utterly unacceptable” to the SPD and urged her to instead focus on measures that promote greater equity, specifically advocating for increased contributions from high-income earners and those with significant assets.
The pointed critique reflects a growing unease within the SPD regarding what they perceive as an increasingly market-oriented agenda pushed by elements within the CDU. Former SPD Vice-President Stegner cautioned Reiche against pursuing “fantastical” scenarios of alternative parliamentary majorities and urged her to concentrate on constructive collaboration within the current coalition.
The comments also contained a stark warning about the broader political landscape. Stegner drew parallels to the rise of right-wing populist parties, asserting that the AfD’s gains are fueled by a perceived failure of mainstream parties to deliver on their promises. CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn, he noted, understands that the coalition’s success hinges on demonstrating the democratic center’s competence and responsiveness to the electorate, particularly in preventing the AfD from undermining “prosperity, peace and democracy”. The internal disagreements risk further fueling public disillusionment and inadvertently bolstering the appeal of extremist alternatives.
