Frank Werneke, the chairman of the Verdi service union, has defended the behavior of DGB Congress delegates when reacting to the Chancellor. According to Werneke, the Chancellor’s address failed both in substance and style, missing the main point entirely. At the DGB Congress, hundreds of union members actively booed, whistled, and laughed during Friedrich Merz’s speech.
The Verdi chief criticized the speaker, stating that the audience included nurses, bus drivers, and industrial workers whose jobs are currently under threat. He argued that the Chancellor “did not even attempt to bridge to their lived reality”. Despite this, Werneke noted that the delegates generally listened to the speech politely.
There were two specific points during the address that elicited discontent: issues concerning pensions and healthcare reform. However, Werneke emphasized that these reactions were entirely justifiable, asserting that the Chancellor should be prepared for such feedback.
