US EditionGermany's Merz secures absolute majority for pensions bill
Chancellor Merz secured a narrow majority of 319 votes to fix pension levels at 48% of average wages through 2031 amid internal party dissent and coalition pressure.
- On Dec 5, Chancellor Friedrich Merz secured an absolute majority for his pensions bill in the Bundestag with a 319-225 vote in Berlin.
- A revolt by 18 young conservative lawmakers challenged the bill, so Merz pushed for an absolute majority to avoid relying on opposition Left Party support and control coalition's parliamentary dynamics.
- The measure fixes state pensions at 48% of average wages through 2031, while opponents warned it could cost up to 15 billion euros per year, and the Social Democrats insisted the deal remain unchanged.
- The vote spared Merz from potential embarrassment over opposition abstentions, notably from the Left Party, and bolstered his authority amid a bumpy first seven months and a struggle to tame his coalition of conservatives and the SPD.
- Coalition leaders pledged a commission on pensions to report by mid-2026 as pensions become key political flashpoints amid weak public support and rising Alternative for Germany backing.
91 Articles
91 Articles
By putting strong pressure on critics within its own ranks, the government pushed a new pension reform package through the Bundestag. The left abstained and thereby helped the ruling coalition.
What does the three laws that the Bundestag adopted this Friday say? Who wins? Who loses?
The German Bundestag (Lower House of Parliament) approved the pension reform package, despite the resistance of the youth of the Christian-Democrate Union (CDU), the Party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and its bravery, the Christian-Social Union (CSU). The new rules will enter into force in January – as a result of enlargement, writes Focus.de. But this is provided that the Bundesrat will approve it on 19 December.
The Bundestag has decided on the pension law of the black and red government. In the end, an absolute majority came into being. Chancellor Merz renewed his promise to renew the pension system in a next step "comprehensive".
VdK President Bentele praises the pension package as a step forward. The 48 percent holding line is crucial, but not all aspects are convincing.
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- 44% of the sources lean Left
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