Thorsten Frei, the chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, has insisted on maintaining the standard eight-hour workday. Speaking to the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger,” the CDU politician emphasized that the coalition agreement clearly stipulates that the maximum weekly working hours should be managed according to the European working time directive, allowing for the possibility of a weekly limit rather than a daily one-a measure he views as vital for better balancing work and family life.
However, Frei expressed skepticism regarding the conditions recently proposed by several factions within the SPD, including the Jusos. These SPD groups argued that any abolition of the eight-hour workday must be limited to workplaces with collective bargaining agreements and must be coupled with complete electronic recording of working hours, according to a joint strategy paper issued by them.
Furthermore, Frei voiced doubt over the proposed plastic tax put forward by Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD). The CDU politician remarked that the plastic tax would entail a massive bureaucratic effort that offers no appropriate cost-benefit ratio, stating, “Because of this, we will be looking very closely to see if this is truly the right path.”
Finally, the CDU chairman showed disappointment concerning the depth of the income tax reform planned by Klingbeil. He noted that the coalition had reached agreements on measures related to income tax, particularly for families and workers, but admitted, “Of course, we would have preferred further relief measures.”
