The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is intensifying pressure on its coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), to undertake comprehensive reforms of state structures and social systems following the summer recess.
Speaking to the Tagesspiegel newspaper, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann indicated that the justification for the €500 billion special fund for infrastructure is contingent upon simultaneously addressing necessary structural reforms. He emphasized the CDU’s commitment to ensuring these reforms are implemented, stating that the funds should be invested in the nation’s future and not absorbed by day-to-day operations.
Linnemann affirmed that the policy shift, promised prior to the election and driven by CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has already begun. He stressed the need for continued momentum, particularly within the realm of state-provided social services, forecasting a period of significant reform. “Expect the Merz government to initiate crucial social reforms” Linnemann stated, adding, “This will be a season of reform.
The CDU General Secretary specifically addressed SPD leader Bärbel Bas, referencing the commitment to combat abuse within the citizen’s allowance system – Bürgergeld – which was agreed upon in the coalition agreement. Linnemann expressed support for Bas’s stated intention to tackle “mafia-like structures” and highlighted the need to address instances where a significant number of European Union citizens from Southeastern Europe are reportedly working limited hours in Germany while relying on citizen’s allowance to supplement their wages, claiming additional benefits such as housing and childcare allowances are being transferred abroad. He indicated a collaborative approach to this issue, stating they would work “in close cooperation” with Bas, asserting such practices do not align with the values of SPD voters.
