Minister-President Sven Schulze of Saxony-Anhalt (CDU) has defended his involvement in the pension debate against criticism from within his own party. Speaking to the broadcaster Welt on Monday, Schulze clarified that his aim is not to challenge the Federal Chancellor, stating, “Ultimately, we can only succeed together.” He emphasized that the core issue is not the “pension at 63,” but the requirement for 45 years of working life. “I believe that is legitimate,” he said. “There are different opinions on this. We represent this view on behalf of our Eastern German states, and that is part of my job. However, I also accept that others see it differently.”
Schulze addressed the pushback from his own party, saying that differing views within the Union are permissible and that it is not an attempt to undermine authority. He confirmed that he has recently engaged with the Chancellery on the matter, adding, “We support these reforms and we want them to succeed. But bringing up this point from Eastern Germany is important.” He stressed that he maintains regular contact with the Chancellor and his office.
The Minister-President acknowledged that political discourse involves receiving criticism alongside applause. He argued that politics demands the presentation of diverse opinions, even directed toward Berlin. “We are only successful when we implement things together with the Federation as federal states,” he explained. He concluded that while the Federation must accept that its own position is entirely legitimate, the Federation must also accept that the states have distinct opinions on individual points.
While Schulze expressed gratitude and happiness regarding the proposal put forward by the Pension Commission, recognizing numerous positive aspects, he cautioned against viewing the overall package too critically. He stated that although there are strong points in the proposal, one cannot disregard the entire package simply because it is a comprehensive plan. Furthermore, he downplayed the argument regarding total financing, acknowledging that money is involved, but insisting that this must be weighed against the life stories of individuals who have worked diligently throughout their lives.
