CDU Member Johannes Volkmann warned Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) against postponing the decision on the pension package until the first quarter of 2027, a warning he gave prior to the Young Union’s “Germany Day.” Speaking to “Focus”, the grandson of former Chancellor Helmut Kohl stated: “If we break promises, it will hardly strengthen our credibility.” He noted that the coalition had made a commitment in the summer to finalize the package by the end of the year.
Volkmann predicted that if the pension commission’s proposal is not implemented on time, the political debates will be even harsher than those seen in autumn of 2025. He echoed remarks made by the JU Chairman, Johannes Winkel, arguing that last year’s discussion was merely a preview of an unavoidable debate should they fail to keep their promise of a genuine pension reform. Volkmann himself concurred with this assessment.
