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32m ago

Youth Revolt Imperils Pension Package as Merz Presses Year-End Vote

Expert critics say the plan shifts heavy costs to younger generations.

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Kanzler Merz hat sich trotz des Widerstands der Jungen Union zuversichtlich zu einem baldigen Parlamentsbeschluss zum Rentenpaket gezeigt. "Wir gehen davon aus, dass wir das Rentenpaket, so wie wir es in der Koalition geplant haben, noch in diesem Jahr verabschieden werden", sagte er.
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Overview

  • Leaders of the Union’s Young Group reaffirm opposition to the cabinet draft, calling it not approvable and urging a postponement to negotiate reforms.
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz and SPD finance chief Lars Klingbeil reject changes and push for a December Bundestag vote so measures such as the Aktivrente can start on 1 January 2026.
  • Labor Minister Bärbel Bas warns that failure to pass the bill would heighten instability within the coalition and accuses the Union of endangering the agreement.
  • Wirtschaftsweise Veronika Grimm backs the young MPs’ concerns, citing long-term fiscal strains and advocating spending-dampening steps such as adjusting the retirement age and boosting private provision.
  • The Greens label the bill completely insufficient and withhold support, the Left signals conditional backing, and reports suggest dissent within the Union could extend beyond the 18 young lawmakers as cost estimates run to roughly €115–120 billion by 2040.