Junge Union Calls for Delayโฃ of Pension โPackage Vote,Threatening Coalition Stability
BERLIN – โAโข deepening rift within Germany’s governing coalition emerged November 18,2025,asโ the leader of the Junge Union (JU),the youth wing โฃof the CDU/CSU,called for a โpostponement of the vote on the โproposed pension package. The move throws โฃinto question the future of Chancellor’s coalition and reignites debateโ over the sustainability of Germany’s retirement โsystem.
The dispute centers on concerns within the JU that the current pensionโ reforms do notโ adequately address the long-termโ financial challenges โfacing โคthe system and may disproportionately โฃburden younger generations. The proposed package, a key initiative of the current Schwarz-Rot (black-Red) coalition, aims to stabilize pension levelsโค and addressโ demographicโ shifts, but faces opposition from within โขthe CDU/CSU, โขpotentially jeopardizing its passage through the Bundestag. โขThis โคinternal conflict adds further pressure on Chancellor Friedrich โMerz, already navigating a fragile โฃcoalition dynamic.
The JU’s demand for a delay comes amid broader disagreements between the CDU/CSUโค andโฃ the SPD regarding the specifics of the pension package. Sources โคindicate the JU is seeking further concessions toโ ensure the reformsโฃ are equitable across generations. The postponement request could trigger โa wider โคcrisis within theโค coalition, potentially leading to a minority government โor even new elections. โ
The pension package debate is notably sensitive given Germany’s aging population and the increasing strain โon its social security system. The current system, largely based on โขa pay-as-you-goโ model, faces โขgrowing financial pressures as the number of retirees increases relative โคto the โขworkingโฃ population. The โproposed reforms seekโ to โaddress this imbalance โthrough a โcombination of measures, including raising the retirement age and increasing contribution rates.
