Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) called on Thursday for Germany not to lose its drive for reform, delivering a government statement to the Bundestag. "It is no small amount that has already been done," he said. "And yet, we must press on."
Merz outlined two paths before the country: "We can either close our eyes to the obvious challenges," he said, "or, and this is the other option, we use the strengths and potential we have to turn the tide for everyone." He applied this logic to the nation's defence capability against external threats, as well as to what he described as "the major tasks of reform" and the necessary strengthening of domestic economic competitiveness.
The Chancellor demanded that the government "reform social security in our country in a way that keeps it viable," even if that exposed the government to criticism. Upcoming pension decisions, he said, must "set incentives for working longer." Merz explicitly praised the previous evening's meeting between coalition leaders, trade unions and business associations on the future of the welfare state, which he said had taken place in "an exceptionally positive, very constructive atmosphere."
SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch also aligned himself with the reform agenda. "We face great challenges," he said. "We know that we need to change in many areas." What mattered, however, was that the outcome be something "of which everyone can say: that is fair." Miersch made a strong appeal for the continued involvement of social partners in the process, saying: "Germany has always been strong when people put their heads together."
Sharp criticism came from the Greens. Parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann said that under Merz's government, the word "reform" had become "a synonym for cuts." People understood that change was necessary, but "every day you alienate them," she told the Chancellor.
"People feel they're being taken for fools," Haßelmann called out to the chamber, arguing that cuts planned by the CDU/CSU and SPD would always hit the same people, including those paying into the system, those in need of care and their families, and above all, repeatedly, women.
Left Party parliamentary group leader Sören Pellmann spoke of a policy of "social devastation." While numerous benefits in health insurance, care and pensions were being declared "no longer financeable," he argued, "billions upon billions are disappearing into the coffers of the arms industry." Pellmann demanded instead that more money be invested "in education, infrastructure, social cohesion, and a future."
Fundamental criticism once again came from AfD parliamentary group leader Alice Weidel. "This government statement was the swansong of a failure," she told the Bundestag. She accused Merz of pursuing a policy that showed "contempt for the German people," holding him responsible for "deindustrialisation" and an "insolvency tsunami." In social policy, she claimed, the government was planning rising contributions alongside cuts in services, all to finance the consequences of what she called a "misguided policy of mass immigration."
The government statement and the debate were prompted by next week's EU summit in Brussels. Heated exchanges also took place on foreign policy, particularly on support for Ukraine. CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn stressed that the federal government stood firmly at the side of Ukraine, which has been under Russian attack, and also backed Israel in the Iran war, despite international criticism of that position. Chancellor Merz emphasised that Ukraine had been defending freedom, including Germany's, for more than four years.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
