The CDU’s economic wing’s call to eliminate the fundamental right to part‑time work has sparked strong criticism from within the party.
Dennis Radtke, chairman of the CDU’s Social wing, told the Monday editions of the Funke Media Group that “with such a restriction we are handling the horse from the wrong side”. He added that many people who feel trapped by part‑time schedules would appreciate an easier path back to full‑time employment, but that this would require better childcare and care‑giving arrangements that currently make it impossible in some cases.
According to a _Stern_ report, the economic wing plans to overturn the statutory entitlement to part‑time work, with a proposal slated for decision at the party congress end of February. The draft, titled “No legal entitlement to lifestyle part‑time” seeks to limit part‑time rights to situations requiring a “special justification” such as raising children, caring for relatives, or pursuing further education. Voluntary part‑time work without caregiving responsibilities would no longer be allowed.
Radtke warned that deviating from the CDU’s existing position could entail setting limits on part‑time for childcare and care, including defining how old a child must be or what level of care is required. “Every family should be able to decide for themselves; for good reasons, we CDU have always stood for maximal freedom of choice” he said.
