Overview
- Union and SPD chiefs meet Wednesday evening for the year’s final coalition committee, with hours of talks expected and no sweeping agreements anticipated.
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has tabled a bill to replace the Riester scheme with a more attractive, tax‑advantaged private pension pillar partly financed by dividends from federal stakes in Deutsche Post and Deutsche Telekom.
- The coalition aims to finalize the membership of a new pension commission before Christmas, with a possible cabinet appointment on December 17 and reform proposals due in the summer.
- Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder’s acceleration package seeks faster upgrades across bridges, rail, highways and waterways by simplifying and digitizing planning, while talks continue with Environment Minister Carsten Schneider over the scope of ‘overriding public interest’ and environmental obligations.
- Debate continues over revising the 65% renewable requirement for new heating systems, as the insurers’ association warns that without a genuine savings package contribution increases could hit within weeks.