The youth wing of Germany’s conservative CDU, Junge Union (JU), is escalating tensions with the governing “black-red” coalition government, demanding a freeze on social security contributions and advocating for sweeping reforms deemed necessary to safeguard the long-term viability of the social welfare system. The organization’s demands, outlined in a draft motion for the party’s upcoming “Germany Day” conference, represent a significant challenge to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration.
JU’s proposal calls for an immediate moratorium on contributions, preventing further increases during the current legislative period. Looking ahead, the motion pushes for a medium-term reduction of contribution rates to a maximum of 40 percent of gross salaries, a figure significantly lower than current levels. The youth wing contends that the current government is neglecting crucial structural reforms necessary to stabilize contribution rates, ultimately hindering economic growth.
The strongly worded draft accuses the coalition of lacking the political courage to undertake meaningful consolidatory reforms. JU’s representatives argue that without swift action, the combination of rising taxes and soaring social spending will become unsustainable. They specifically criticize the government’s handling of the planned pension commission, advocating for its removal from the purview of Labour Minister Bärbel Bas and entrusting its leadership directly to the Chancellery, demanding expedited results by June 2026 and a clearly defined political mandate.
Central to JU’s platform is a proposal to link the statutory retirement age to life expectancy, implementing a “3:1 rule” starting in 2031. This would mean a nine-month increase in the retirement age for every additional year of life expectancy, with provisions for hardship cases. Furthermore, the organization is proposing a doubling of the penalty for early retirement to 0.6 percent per month and advocating for either a limited period of wage continuation or a short-term reduction in wage payments to discourage absenteeism and prevent abuse within the healthcare system.
Adding another layer to its demands, JU is also calling for mandatory private long-term care insurance with the option for individuals to opt-out, reflecting growing concerns over the adequacy of the current provision for elderly care. The stance comes as the CDU, represented by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, prepares to address the “Germany Day” conference, where the “Young Group” within the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction has already declared the government’s current pension proposals unacceptable. JU’s aggressive posture signals a potential fracture within the governing coalition and places considerable pressure on Chancellor Scholz to demonstrate resolve in addressing the looming crisis in Germany’s social security system.
