Overview

• An expert hearing in the Saxon Landtag on August 26 produced mixed testimony on introducing paid Bildungszeit.
• The SPD praised the policy as strengthening civil society and voiced confidence in finding a majority, while the CDU urged caution citing divided expert views.
• A citizens’ petition backed by more than 55,000 signatures seeks five paid days per year, as the CDU–SPD coalition promotes a three‑day compromise with uncertain prospects.
• Greens and the Left support the full five days and reject limiting the entitlement to three.
• The Saxon crafts association warned that the measure would burden small firms and could lead to higher prices for customers.