CDU General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann has urged her coalition partner, the SPD, to act with greater urgency and seriousness concerning the ongoing discussions about pensions and long-term care. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” on Monday, Hoppermann drew attention to the delays in the legislative process, stating that while Nina Warken required six weeks to move from the health reform commission’s findings to a draft law, all cabinet members should use this as an example.
She pointed out that numerous decisions made by the coalition committee are still unresolved. Specifically, Hoppermann emphasized that the pension draft needs to be introduced quickly because the federal budget is struggling to absorb the massive projected cost of the pension supplement.
Addressing the pension debate, the CDU politician stressed that the outcomes decided in the coalition committee in early July must now be advanced into a full draft law, noting, “I don’t see us being far apart on this.” The pension commission had presented a comprehensive package of 33 measures, which senior figures like the Chancellor and SPD Minister for Labour, Bärbel Bas, had explained were mutually dependent components. Hoppermann insisted that this entire package must now be implemented, asserting, “We must keep the agreements we made.”
Hoppermann concluded by connecting the need for political stability to recent election results, noting that the three state elections indicated a rise in support for “extremists-both on the right and the left.” She stressed that people are seeking stability and direction, which requires a stable federal government. Consequently, she demanded that the SPD also demonstrate greater political seriousness.
