BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – According to its general secretary Tim Klüssendorf, the SPD is not prepared to negotiate the pension package again. When asked about this on RTL/ntv’s ” Frühstart ” program, Klüssendorf said: “No. And we made that very clear.” There are clear signals that the package with the agreed elements such as active pension, holding line, pension level and Mother’s pension will also be decided that way. “We also trust in the parliamentary group leadership, in the Federal Chancellor,” said the SPD politician, referring to Union faction leader Jens Spahn and Chancellor Friedrich Merz (both CDU).
Klüssendorf pointed out that the package had passed the cabinet unanimously. “And I think all partners in the coalition have made their points and that’s why the package can be passed well.” The mother’s pension, for example, was a wish of the coalition partner, said Klüssendorf, without directly naming the CSU.
Young Union MPs threaten to block
The Young Group of the Union faction is threatening to block the adoption of the pension package in Parliament. The MPs’ criticism is primarily directed against the announced follow-up costs worth billions that could arise from stabilizing pension levels after 2031. 32 business associations are also calling on the Union to stop the pension package in a joint paper.
Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) wants to support pension levels in Germany with billions. According to the coalition agreement, 48 percent of the average income should be insured until 2031. After that, a decrease is expected – but only gradually, which is why the government expects costs to continue to rise in its draft./csd/DP/mis