Overview
- Chancellery chief Thorsten Frei (CDU) urged not holding too tightly to the pact, saying a coalition must respond to unforeseen challenges.
- SPD floor manager Dirk Wiese said implementing the existing agreement takes precedence and cited upcoming commission findings on social security.
- SPD parliamentary leader Matthias Miersch rejected a full renegotiation but left room for revising specific items if necessary.
- The coalition contract was presented in April and signed in May by CDU, CSU and SPD, and it has sparked disputes over issues including pensions.
- Calls for greater flexibility predate this week’s remarks, with Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) having voiced similar views earlier.