The German government is poised to appoint Frank-Jürgen Weise, the former long-serving head of the Federal Employment Agency, as one of the co-chairs of the newly formed Pensions Commission, according to reports emerging from within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The appointment, alongside a vice-chair role for Pascal Reddig, a rising star within the CDU’s youth wing, signals a complex political maneuvering within the ruling coalition and highlights ongoing divisions surrounding proposed pension reforms.
Weise, 74, oversaw the Federal Employment Agency from 1998 to 2017, a period marked by significant challenges in the German labor market. His inclusion reflects a desire for experienced, albeit potentially conservative, guidance as the commission navigates deeply contested issues. However, the selection of Reddig, a figure increasingly associated with a more vocal critique of the government’s existing pensions package, introduces a layer of political tension.
Reddig, just 30 years old, has been a prominent voice amongst the “Renten-Rebellen” – a group within the CDU who publicly questioned the feasibility and fairness of the government’s planned reforms. His appointment to a vice-chair position, reportedly secured through the influence of CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn, underscores the internal power struggles and a potential re-evaluation of the government’s approach. Spahn himself had previously voiced reservations about certain aspects of the pensions plans.
The Pensions Commission, comprising two chairs, three vice-chairs (all Bundestag representatives) and eight scientific experts, is tasked with formulating proposals for comprehensive pension reform by the end of June 2026. Its work is expected to be intensely scrutinized. The composition of the commission and the inclusion of figures like Reddig raises questions about the scope of potential reforms and whether the government is attempting to appease dissenting voices within its own ranks. Critics are already suggesting that the appointment is less about objective evaluation and more about managing political fallout from the current, unpopular, pension framework.
