"The Union parliamentary group has voted in favour of the contentious pension package, but the approval revealed significant internal dissent. Approximately 15 to 20 Union MPs, mostly younger members known as the Junge Gruppe (Young Group), opposed the bill in a test vote, with a few abstentions. The coalition government of CDU, CSU, and SPD holds a slim majority of twelve votes in the Bundestag, creating uncertainty about whether the pension reform can pass definitively on Friday with its own strength."
"The reform aims to maintain the pension level at 48 percent beyond 2031, a key point of contention for the younger MPs who fear massive future costs. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CDU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn urged discipline and party unity, warning that failure could destabilise the government. The pension commission is set to prepare a broader reform proposal by mid-2026, including possible changes to the retirement age."
"The coalition insists no changes will be made to the current draft, with the law planned to take effect January 1st, 2026, pending Federal Council approval on December 19th. A government crisis looms if the reform fails to pass."
The Union parliamentary group approved the pension package in a test vote, while about 15–20 MPs, mainly the Junge Gruppe, opposed it with some abstentions. The coalition of CDU, CSU and SPD holds a slim twelve-vote Bundestag majority, making passage on Friday uncertain. The reform seeks to maintain the pension level at 48 percent beyond 2031, which younger MPs say will create massive future costs. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Jens Spahn urged party discipline and warned of government destabilisation if the bill fails. A pension commission will propose broader reforms by mid-2026. Secret ballots are banned. The coalition plans the law to take effect on 1 January 2026 pending Federal Council approval, and failure to pass could trigger a government crisis. Artist-activists unveiled a bronze Walter Lübcke memorial in front of the CDU Berlin headquarters. Germany launched an anti-drone police unit and broadcaster RTL plans to cut 600 jobs.
Read at www.thelocal.de
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