- 3d ago
Markus Söder says Minijobs 'remain' in clash with German pension reform blueprint
CSU leader Markus Söder has broken with a government pension commission's call to abolish low-paid 'Minijobs', promising they will endure and warning of damage to hospitality, retail and farming.
- Jun 30
Germany tightens welfare rules: new job seeker basic income scheme takes effect July 1
The government renames the Bürgergeld scheme to Grundsicherung für Arbeitssuchende and introduces stricter penalties for recipients who refuse to work, Labor Minister Bärbel Bas confirmed.
- Jun 29
JU chief Winkel attacks Söder over pension reform and demands €20bn tax overhaul
Junge Union leader Johannes Winkel defends the pension commission's proposals and calls for a tax reform exceeding €20 billion, while taking a swipe at CSU chief Markus Söder.
- Jun 27
CDU's Reddig urges swift end to 'pension at 63' as commission calls for deep reforms
Pascal Reddig, a CDU lawmaker and member of the government's pension commission, called for the immediate abolition of Germany's early retirement scheme after the panel recommended deep reforms. Chancellor Merz and Social Minister Bas vowed speedy implementation.
- Jun 25
New legal report brands AfD unconstitutional, reigniting German party ban debate
A 13-month expert review by the Society for Freedom Rights concludes the Alternative for Germany violates the democratic principle and human dignity, prompting senior SPD and Green politicians to demand a constitutional ban procedure.
- Jun 22
German pension commission proposes raising retirement age and ending 'Rente mit 63'
A government-appointed commission has recommended raising the retirement age in line with life expectancy and scrapping early retirement without deductions after 45 years of contributions, as part of a package of over 30 proposals to be handed to Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday.
- Jun 21
German pension commission proposes linking retirement age to life expectancy and abolishing 'Rente mit 63'
A government-appointed panel recommends gradually raising Germany's retirement age in line with life expectancy, ending the option to retire at 63 without deductions, and introducing a mandatory equity-funded pension top-up.
- Jun 18
Bas's working-time draft ties loosening to collective deals, sparking coalition row
A draft labour law from minister Bärbel Bas would limit flexible weekly hours to companies covered by collective agreements, drawing furious criticism from employer groups and coalition partner CDU/CSU, who say it breaks the government's pact.
- Jun 14
Spahn pressures SPD to deliver working time reform, shifting from 8-hour day to weekly maximum
CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn has urged the SPD to implement the coalition deal on flexible working hours, warning that the economy needs more room to manoeuvre. The Social Democrats are resisting, with unions calling the reform an attack on health.
- Jun 9
German employer chief demands pension brake as 4.2% rise takes effect and contribution rate nears 20%
Employer president Rainer Dulger calls for slower pension increases and a higher retirement age, warning that back-to-back rises above 4% are outpacing wages and prices.
- Jun 6
Merz channels Merkel's 'We can do it' as German coalition races to deliver reforms before summer break
Chancellor Friedrich Merz adopted his predecessor Angela Merkel's famous phrase at a CDU party conference, promising his struggling coalition would deliver a major reform package on taxes, pensions and the labour market before the July summer break.
