Overview
- Union and SPD leaders meet Thursday in a Koalitionsausschuss to break the deadlock over the pension package.
- Markus Söder rejects postponing the plan and signals any compromise will be struck behind closed doors.
- The dissenting MPs accept a 48% pension level until 2031 but object to higher levels beyond that, with reports citing long‑term costs near €120 billion.
- Söder defends the planned expansion of the Mütterrente, which reporting estimates at about €5 billion annually.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz rules out a confidence vote as analysts point to a non‑legislative resolution such as an Entschließungsantrag or protocol note, while SPD floor leader Matthias Miersch pushes for passage next week.