Overview
- The Junge Gruppe of 18 CDU/CSU lawmakers threatens to withhold votes, endangering the coalition’s 12‑seat majority before the early‑December Bundestag decision.
- Merz rejects changes to the bill covering measures through 2031 but proposes an accompanying declaration for reform after 2031 and a faster pension commission reporting before summer 2026.
- SPD co‑leader Lars Klingbeil says the legislation itself will not be altered.
- Family minister Karin Prien calls for postponing the vote to enable cross‑generational talks, while Merz and economy minister Katherina Reiche state they will support the draft.
- CSU leader Markus Söder praises the JU yet urges unity and defends items such as the Mütterrente, as the JU’s roughly €120 billion cost estimate for 2032–2040 is disputed by Merz.