The leader of Germany’s largest trade union federation, the DGB, Yasmin Fahimi, has issued a stark warning against what she describes as a looming “lost year” for German workers, fueled by a relentless and misdirected political debate. In an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung (NOZ), Fahimi criticized the ongoing discussions, spearheaded by employers’ associations and even Chancellor Scholz’s government, regarding cuts to established social provisions. She argues that these proposals fail to address the genuine needs and interests of the workforce and are unlikely to stimulate economic growth.
Fahimi highlighted a concerning trend of near-weekly demands for reductions in worker benefits, questioning the logic behind measures such as pushing employees to work while unwell or delaying retirement ages. She asserted that such actions will not generate new business or bolster the national economy. Instead, she argues, focusing on dismantling social protections exacerbates societal discontent and risks further polarization.
Expressing deep concern about a widening social divide, Fahimi warned that the current trajectory could provide fertile ground for extremist political movements. “We must urgently end toxic debates like those concerning social austerity and instead prioritize strategies to secure our national competitiveness and stimulate growth” she stated, explicitly linking the potential rise of the far-right AfD party to the government’s current policies.
Fahimi’s call to action frames 2026 as a critical juncture, imploring the governing coalition to avoid repeating what she sees as detrimental mistakes. She emphasized the urgency of shifting the political focus away from short-sighted austerity measures and towards sustainable growth and innovation, lest the consequences prove irreversible for the German workforce and the stability of society. The warning signals a deepening rift between the DGB and the government on the best path forward for the German economy and its social fabric.
