Overview

• Union and SPD hold a Koalitionsausschuss in Berlin to lock in the autumn agenda, with no concrete Bürgergeld decisions expected today.
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz set a savings target of at least ten percent in the Bürgergeld system, roughly five billion euros, in a new TV interview.
• Labor Minister Bärbel Bas rejected claims the welfare state is unaffordable as “Bullshit” and is preparing a reform draft focused on tighter participation duties while a government commission develops broader options.
• Budget planning for 2027 shows a funding shortfall of about 30 billion euros, fueling a clash over cuts versus new revenue as SPD figures float higher taxes on top earners and the CDA’s Dennis Radtke signals openness to tweaks in inheritance and wealth levies, which Merz opposes.
• Separately, Union and SPD propose Bundestag rule changes to allow more floor questions, double fines for misconduct and enable removal votes for presidium and committee posts, with debate slated for the next sitting week and a decision targeted for the fall.