Breaking: internal Conflict threatens Germanโ Pension โขpackage as spahn Accused of Intimidation
Berlin โ- A controversial pension package proposed by the German government is facing significant internal opposition within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, with accusations surfacing that โคHealth Minister Jens โฃSpahn might potentially be attemptingโ to pressure dissenting MPs into supporting the legislation.
According to aโฃ reportโค by Bild,several members of theโค “Young Group” (Junge Gruppe) allege Spahn warned them in individualโ conversations that rejecting the pensionโ package couldโ negatively impact their placement on electoral lists for the next federal election. Those affected โreportedly interpreted thisโ asโค a direct threat.
The proposed pensionโ regulation, slated for implementation in 2032, aims to stabilize pension levels at a โhigher rate even after 2031. Experts estimate this could lead to additional costs exceeding 100 billion euros by 2040.
Union faction leadership โฃdisputesโข the claims of intimidation,stating the โconversations were “objective discussions” andโ that discussing potential consequences is standard practice. They maintain all discussions were conducted in a “kind tone” and deny any threats were made by Spahn.
The dispute is criticalโ as the pension package currently lacks โa majority in the Bundestag and requires the support of the 18 members of โขthe “Young Group” and other potential dissidents to pass.
Resistance is notably strong among MPs aligned with โPascal Reddig, head of the “Junge Gruppe,” andโ Johannes Winkel, chairman of theโค Junge Union. They argueโ the regulation โคexceeds the agreements outlined in โthe coalition agreement and are calling for โrenegotiations withโ the SPD. Though, Bild reportsโ the SPD is currently rejecting further discussions.
Both CDU leader Friedrich Merz and parliamentary group leader Spahnโ areโ publicly backing the pension โคpackage and are seekingโข unified โsupport fromโ their โฃparliamentary group. A meeting of the coalition committee isโข scheduled for Thursday evening, followed by a CDU/CSU parliamentary group meeting on Friday, and a separate meeting specifically with the “Young Group.”
Partyโค sources cited by Bild anticipate increased pressure on the young MPs if a resolution isn’t reached.
