Matthias Miersch, the chairman of the SPD Parliamentary Group, admitted that the coalition suffers from communication deficits ahead of the federal government’s cabinet session. Speaking on the POLITICO Berlin Playbook podcast, Miersch stated that the coalition “must explain much more about why we are doing things and why they are necessary,” when asked what changes Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) should make in his public presentation.
Responding to criticism that polls indicate 20 percent of the population no longer trusts Merz to remain in office until the end of the year, Miersch remained optimistic. He predicted that Merz would remain Chancellor, and that support levels for CDU/CSU and SPD would rise if they “can prove that we are genuinely moving this country forward.”
Before the session starting in Neuhardenberg this Tuesday, Miersch announced that initiatives decided before the summer break-such as the reform package and the findings of the pension commission-would need to be implemented with “new energy” after the recess. He noted that the government has a “broad portfolio” of topics to address, ranging from economic decisions to implementing heat protection measures given the hot summer.
Regarding the debate over the pension age of 63, Miersch did not rule out changes. Citing the commission, he said, “Even the commission speaks of modifications,” emphasizing that comprehensive discussion is taking place not only within the SPD but also within the CDU. The issues of working life span and the requirement of 45 contributing years played a “significant role” in the ongoing discussion. Although he would not abandon the party’s own position in parliament based on the commission’s report, Miersch expressed confidence that they would find “good compromises” to ensure the pension package is successfully introduced.
As for the SPD’s demand for a constitutional amendment concerning a “community task for climate protection,” Miersch argued that the goal is to achieve “lean structures” and clear responsibilities, such as those governing the provision of air conditioning in care and health facilities. Whether his party’s Union will participate in this area remains open, as he stated that “discussion must always take place.”
