CDU

The CDU economic council has proposed tax cuts and reductions in social benefits in its "Agenda for Workers," including removing dental coverage from health insurance. The plans face sharp criticism from politicians and associations, who label them unsocial and harmful to creating a two-tier medical system. Even within the CDU, there is discontent.

1. februar 2026 Rapportert av AI

North Rhine-Westphalia's Labor Minister Karl-Josef Laumann has sharply criticized his CDU party's wording in the debate over 'lifestyle part-time work.' The CDU deputy chairman calls for more tact and emphasizes that Germans are diligent. He considers the economic wing's proposal unlikely to pass.

Amid the poor economic situation, Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei (CDU) has considered revising the coalition agreement. He criticizes the rigid stance of the traffic-light government toward new challenges like Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Frei advocates for more flexible action in the Union-SPD coalition.

19. desember 2025 Rapportert av AI

Jan van Aken, leader of Die Linke, rules out a coalition with the CDU in the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt state election to block an AfD government. Instead, he is open to supporting a CDU-led minority government on specific issues, provided there is no cooperation with the AfD.

Thorsten Frei, CDU chancellery chief, has defended the controversial federal government's pension package, deeming it approvable. He points to a planned pension commission that will develop proposals for long-term reform by summer 2026. Despite criticism from his own party, he shows understanding for concerns from young Union parliamentarians.

16. november 2025 Rapportert av AI

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has defended his stance on the pension bill amid internal Union disputes. He stresses that the draft aligns with the coalition agreement and covers regulations until 2031. Nevertheless, he promises fundamental reforms for the period afterward.