Klausurtagung: Koalitionsfraktionen bereiten sich auf Reformherbst vor

Münster – In the coming weeks, the Bundestag factions from the Union and SPD are preparing for a major reform autumn. Their faction leaders will meet in Münster in the next few days to finalize the specifics of the already approved reform package. The goal of the Klausur on Lake Aasee is to find a common line that was partially lost earlier.

From September, when the Bundestag's recess ends, the reform plans of the black-red coalition will be on the agenda of the Bundestag. The most recent dispute has been over the income tax plans of Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD), who claimed that the relief agreed upon by the coalition leaders was insufficient for some in the Union.

When it comes to the pension reform, the pressure mainly comes from the countries. Four state premiers – three from the CDU and one from the SPD – are opposing the planned abolition of the zero-contribution pension after 45 years of contributions. At the cabinet meeting in Neuhardenberg, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) spoke out and rejected a retention of the so-called pension with 63, only hailing hardship rules as possible.

The SPD leadership shares this view, with SPD faction leader Matthias Miersch emphasizing in an interview on ZDF's Markus Lanz talk show that the pension commission had already provided for transitional and hardship rules. Parliamentarianism does not mean outsmarting a government draft unseen. "I am very sure we will reach a good compromise," said Miersch.

Ultimately, a pension concept that will endure for years must be in place. "And that would be a major success for the political center." SPD chief Klingbeil told ARD's "Tagesthemen" that there would be discussions: with employers, trade unions, state premiers. But: "We want to reform our pension system. We want to do this this year."

For Union faction chief Thorsten Frei, the two-day Klausur is a first. He succeeded interim Chancellor Amr Spahn in July, replacing Miersch in the SPD faction. Frei and Miersch have met in the coalition committees, so no problems are expected. They know each other well, said Miersch. The leadership of the Union faction is now fully staffed after a personnel reshuffle initiated by Chancellor Merz, who needs to appoint a deputy faction leader.

Carsten Linnemann, who is now Minister of Health, will be replaced by a new faction leader. Catarina dos Santos-Wintz, who is currently running the Ministry of Education, will be appointed in September.