Merz Defends Reform Course and Warns Coalition Partner SPD

At the “Germany Day” of the Young Union, Chancellor Merz finds clear words in the direction of the SPD: He wants the success of the coalition, but not at any price. On pensions, he insists on fully implementing the reform proposals. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has defended the reform course of the coalition at the "Germany Day" of the Young Union - and made it clear that he did not want to continue the alliance with the SPD at any price. “I want this coalition to be successful,” he said at the “Germany Day” of the Young Union. "But I do not place the success of the coalition, or in other words, the continuation of the coalition, above any conceivable political performance that we must perform together," the CDU chairman stressed. “There are limits for me too.” In future, the Union’s handwriting must also become more recognizable. "It must also be clear who is the larger coalition partner in this coalition and who is the smaller coalition partner," Merz added. Delimitation to the AfD and to the left With regard to Saxony-Anhalt, he warned against cooperation with the AfD. “Whoever among our ranks is of the opinion to elect such people in state offices, has nothing, but also nothing to look for in the CDU of Germany,” said Merz. He thus referred to the presumption that CDU deputies in the new state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt could have voted for the new state parliament president of the AfD. At the same time, Merz warned of a possible left-led government in Berlin. The SPD and the Greens made serious accusations. “Anyone who wants to strengthen the political centre must not hold talks with left-wing radicals,” he said, adding: “Stop going down this path.” The Union will fight against the left. “We stand up against anyone who questions Israel’s right to exist,” the CDU chief said. Anti-Semitism has no place in Germany. The Left, the Greens and the SPD in Berlin have concluded their exploratory talks. The parties’ bodies must now decide on the start of coalition negotiations. In the soundings, the topic of anti-Semitism had repeatedly led to conflicts and at times even to the interruption of the talks. During his appearance, Merz also stressed that the reform process must be completed soon. “Reform processes are always connected with discussions, with controversies,” Merz said. “They are stirring up the country, they are stirring up our party.” Only when they are completed can rest again. In the reform of the pension, he expects that there will be a decision of the Federal Cabinet this year. The CDU chief stressed: "I want us to implement the reform proposals of the pension commission as they are on the table." The proposal of the Pensions Commission also provides for the abolition of the deduction-free pension after 45 years of insurance. However, there has been resistance in the SPD for a long time. Three CDU prime ministers had also opposed the plans. Merz recalls tough discussions on pensions, Merz had clashed violently with the delegates of the Young Union last year. Merz also recalled the tense mood at the meeting a year ago in his speech this year. It was a pretty tough discussion. It is important to him that the young generation sit at the table in the reform, Merz said. I would like us to adopt a reform that is worthy of the name and above all takes into account the young generation in our country in the sense of intergenerational justice. You deserved it, the young generation deserved it, the whole of Germany deserved it. This time there was applause for the Chancellor from the delegates on this topic.