German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed confidence that his government will succeed in implementing social reforms. "We can do this, we can make it happen, if we believe in each other again," Merz said on Saturday at the CDU Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state party conference in Linstow. Part of that, he added, means "being willing to compromise and staying that way," referencing the differing positions held by the CDU and coalition partner SPD.
Merz pointed to a high-level coalition meeting planned for the coming Wednesday, bringing together trade unions and business associations. "We want to explore what we can envision together," he said. Ahead of the summit, he had asked all participants to come forward with their own joint proposals. The government would then deliberate and was "determined to carry out the necessary reforms."
Merz reaffirmed his commitment to a "reliable welfare state" but was clear that things "cannot stay as they are." "We must focus on the essentials," he said. On retirement, he reiterated that statutory pension insurance should remain the "most important pillar" of old-age provision, while calling for private and occupational pension schemes to be strengthened alongside it.
Merz defended the widely criticised proposals from Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) on reforming statutory health insurance and long-term care, measures that include significant cutbacks for policyholders and their families. He did not address the details in his speech, saying only that the government takes concerns seriously but "must also make the necessary decisions."
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