A leading figure within the Green Party has voiced concerns regarding the current federal government’s approach to social security contributions and pension reform. Franziska Brantner, a prominent voice within the Green Party, expressed reservations in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” highlighting a perceived divergence from previously explored solutions.
Brantner noted that prior collaborative efforts focused on incorporating a capital-backed component and incentivizing continued employment in later years were abandoned following the dissolution of a previous coalition. She argued that the present government’s policies represent a reversal of those initiatives.
Specifically, Brantner cited the “mothers’ pension” as a significant expenditure, costing approximately five billion euros annually. She questioned its effectiveness in ensuring pension security or alleviating poverty among women. Furthermore, a lack of clarity surrounds how Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) intend to maintain the legally mandated pension level of 48 percent.
Focusing on the economic impact, Brantner emphasized the necessity of reducing ancillary wage costs, which she described as a major impediment to economic growth. She criticized the government’s expansion of pension-related benefits, labeling it as a contradiction to that need and misleading in its presentation as a comprehensive pension reform.
Finally, Brantner reiterated that the government’s actions are potentially unfair to younger generations.
