Chancellor Merz complains that Germans work too little. The SPD now wants to increase vacation entitlements.
Civil servants and public service employees will receive an additional vacation day starting next year. The entitlement thus rises from 30 to 31 days.
The CDU has already criticized so-called lifestyle part-time work. Merz had previously called for more work from Germans.
The debate shows differing positions within the coalition on working hours and vacation.