The Junge Union has issued a warning against what it calls a “reckless game” involving the black-red (CDU-SPD) pension reform plans, reminding its own party of the need for political seriousness. Johannes Winkel, its chairman and a CDU member of the Bundestag, told the “Tagesspiegel” (Sunday edition): “Despite understanding the need for campaign efforts and party profile building: please remain responsible and serious. One should not play so carelessly with the future and the achieved pension agreement.”
This warning occurs against a backdrop of strong reluctance from the three East German CDU Prime Ministers to allow the abolition of penalties for early retirement after 45 years of insurance contributions. This stance has received support from Manuela Schwesig, the Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (SPD), who voiced similar concerns weeks ago. Furthermore, Michael Kretschmer, the leader of Saxony’s government (CDU), has openly threatened to vote ‘No’ in the Bundesrat.
