Johannes Winkel, the head of the CDU Young Union (JU), has increased pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, warning against attempts to weaken the planned pension reform. Winkel asserted to “Der Spiegel” that both the JU’s group of deputies and the overall faction are fighting for this reform. He cautioned that those who oppose it with what he terms “the cheapest form of populism” will discover that last year’s protest against the false pension package was merely a preview of the commitment currently being shown to implement it.
The head of the JU also voiced sharp criticism toward the SPD and the East State Premiers, specifically naming Sven Schulze, Mario Voigt, and Michael Kretschmer. The CDU government leaders reject the abolition of the so-called “Rente mit 63” (pension at 63), a proposal that was part of the pension commission’s suggestions. Winkel pointed out that the three politicians had initially offered full praise for the entire pension package before the election campaign in Saxony-Anhalt. Just a few weeks after offering their praise, they began their protests. Nevertheless, the CDU politician stressed that credibility remains the highest value in politics.
When asked whether Merz was still the right Chancellor, Winkel told “Der Spiegel”: “He has to prove it now. To be truthful: up until now, it has not worked sufficiently.”
