Overview
- The former chancellor told Die Zeit that weakening the social state would deepen divisions in German society.
- He called the notion that reform must leave pensioners, the sick, or care-dependent people worse off “pure ideology.”
- Coalition talks are focused on growing deficits in coming years, with the Union pressing for savings that may include social-program cuts.
- Scholz argued for making benefits more efficient and for a radical reduction of bureaucracy to unleash growth instead of cutting protections.
- He pledged support for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government and warned that bringing the AfD into power would break Germany’s postwar consensus.