Thorsten Frei, the chairman of the CDU faction in the Bundestag, rejects fundamental changes to the 33 points proposed by the Age Security Commission on pension reform, thereby opposing the continuation of the current pension age of 63.Speaking to the news channel “Welt” on Wednesday evening, Frei explained that the commission’s concept is not a “buffet” where one can pick and choose, but rather a complete “menu,” meaning all elements must be incorporated. While acknowledging that some points, such as the SPD’s proposal to abolish the tax-free pension option after 45 years of contributions, might not be universally appreciated, he stressed that the proposal is a holistic body of work that must be implemented as a whole, echoing a previous phrasing by Bärbel Bas.
Though he stated that marginal adjustments could be reviewed in detail-specifically mentioning the possibility of a welfare pension for those unable to work due to health issues related to their job-the CDU/CSU party leader countered Alexander Schweitzer, who succeeded Bärbel Bas as Minister for Labor and Social Affairs. Schweitzer is insisting on delaying further action until the coalition can clarify contentious issues within the governing black-red alliance.
Frei contended that the commission delivered 33 specific suggestions, which must now be formalized into a legal text-that is the necessary next step. He insisted that based on this legislation, the coalition must then agree on every detail. He characterized this as a normal parliamentary procedure.
In a manner similar to former Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Frei is pressuring Schweitzer to accelerate the process. He pointed out that Schweitzer is fully aware that the pension reform is urgent, critical, and must be implemented quickly. Frei expressed confidence that Schweitzer possesses the necessary resources and that the reform will ultimately succeed. He affirmed that he sees no reason for the SPD to cease being a reliable coalition partner, believing that all parties involved understand the necessity of achieving a successful outcome within this arrangement.
