Steffen Krach, the SPD’s top candidate for the State Parliament election, has questioned the planned abolition of the so-called “pension at 63.” If Krach becomes part of the state government, he warned in “Die Zeit” that he would not agree to a pension package in the Federal Council unless a tax-free pension after 45 years of contributions was included.
In recent weeks, several state premiers had already expressed distance from the pension plans. While approval in the Federal Council is not essential for passage, the lack of such approval would be a heavy blow to Chancellor Merz and Vice Chancellor Klingbeil.
Krach expects the federal government to reconsider its reform plans across other sectors as well, particularly concerning housing benefits (Wohngeld). He criticized the proposed cuts to housing benefits as a policy “imposed on single parents, pensioners, and people who cannot pay their rent despite working.” Krach told “Die Zeit” that this must not happen, and he urged Federal Minister Hubertz to retract those cuts.
Looking ahead to the autumn State Parliament elections, Krach wishes for more federal government support. He noted that while consideration was given to the elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate in March, the federal government has since continuously cut or threatened to cut benefits-ranging from parental allowance to pensions, healthcare, care services, and BAföG. Krach warned that this is leading to a massive sense of injustice.
Regarding the upcoming election for the Abgeordnetenhaus in Berlin, Krach criticized The Left party. He argued that their demand to nationalize landlords involves “large and very expensive pledges” that they would hardly be able to implement after an election victory.
The demands of party leader Ines Schwerdtner have sharply criticized Krach. Schwerdtner had promised that residential companies would be socialized “along with The Left in the Berlin government.” Krach countered in “Die Zeit”: “If they make expropriation a requirement for the next government, the question arises for me as to with whom The Left intends to implement this. Certainly not with the SPD.” Nevertheless, Krach has not ruled out a coalition with The Left.
