SPD Leader Bas Signals Citizen’s Money Re-Openings, Draws Fire for Double Standard on Pension Reform
BERLIN – SPD Co-Leader Lisa Bas is demanding further parliamentary negotiations on the “Bürgergeld” (citizen’s money) social welfare program, a move sharply contrasted by her party’s firm rejection of any revisions to the recently passed and controversial pension reform package. The apparent contradiction has ignited criticism, with observers suggesting the SPD is prioritizing political maneuvering over consistent policy principles.
The dispute centers on differing approaches to coalition agreements. While the SPD insists on the right to amend the citizen’s money reforms initially advanced by the CDU/CSU opposition bloc, the party simultaneously prohibits its lawmakers from even considering CDU critiques of the new pension system. This stance, coupled with the potential for over €100 billion in additional costs projected between 2032 and 2040 due to the pension package, has created internal friction within the CDU and raised questions about the stability of the governing coalition.
Bas’s call for citizen’s money adjustments comes as the SPD seeks to soften aspects of the program. Simultaneously, chancellor olaf Scholz’s management, in agreement with CDU leader Friedrich Merz, has declared further negotiations on the pension reform “unacceptable.” The outcome remains uncertain as some younger CDU parliamentarians have voiced reservations about the financial implications of the pension plan, leaving their final votes in question.
The tension escalated following a recent labor conference where Bas was reportedly met with laughter after making statements regarding pension financing. “At the latest, this labor conference was a key experience for me, as it became particularly clear who we need to fight together against,” Bas stated on Saturday.”We must now take up this fight.” She urged the Jusos, the SPD’s youth wing, to join her in a more assertive stance against German employers, calling for the party to ”get out of the defensive and into the offensive.”
