Overview
- The cabinet draft holds the pension level at 48 percent through 2031 and includes wording that would keep it roughly one percentage point above current law thereafter.
- The Junge Union and 18 members of the Union’s Junge Gruppe vowed to vote no, with JU delegates unanimously urging the Bundestag faction to reject the bill.
- Merz told delegates he will support the draft "with a good conscience" and disputed the €118–120 billion cost estimate, citing plans for a broader reform before 2031.
- SPD leader Lars Klingbeil ruled out any changes to the law, while parliamentary leader Jens Spahn offered talks as the government targets a first‑week‑of‑December vote.
- Senior voices split the Union’s response: Economics Minister Katherina Reiche and the Senioren‑Union backed youth concerns, and CSU chief Markus Söder pressed for talks but warned against a coalition break.