Zustand der Koalition: Merz: „Wir müssen in der Regierung zusammenbleiben“

Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz has called for unity within his coalition amid ongoing disagreements over proposed social reforms. During an ARD broadcast "Report from Berlin", Merz stated that "we must stay together in the government, we must drive the country forward, we must use the great opportunities we have, and I am firmly determined to do so."

He urged his Union and SPD coalition partners to make progress on social system reforms and to take necessary decisions by the end of the year, particularly for the statutory pension insurance. Merz expressed hope that they would successfully implement the well-prepared proposals on the table, which had not been seen in Germany in the past 30 years.

Earlier in the week, the SPD had criticized the planned abolition of the "zero-deductible early retirement" after 45 years of contributions. Merz emphasized that stability in Germany mattered to all of Europe. The recent internal conflicts within the coalition had put pressure on Merz, especially after the CDU faced a significant loss in the Saxon-Anhalt state elections and lost its position as the leading party in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin.

A new survey published on September 20th showed the AfD had gained its first 30 percent in nationwide polling, narrowly surpassing the Union's 18 percent. Merz's personal approval ratings were at an all-time low, with only one in ten expressing satisfaction or strong satisfaction with his work. The Union's cabinet had recently passed a bill aimed at stabilizing the pension insurance after intense debate between the Union and SPD.

The SPD's faction leader, Matthias Miersch, acknowledged that the discussions over the bill were necessary but believed that the coalition would ultimately decide on the best course of action. Despite some concerns, Miersch noted that the "culling orgy" at the pension insurance had been prevented. The SPD faction leader also expressed optimism that his party would focus on structural changes and greater justice, such as financial compensation between private and social pension insurance.

Union officials stressed the need for the SPD's Economics Minister, Bärbel Bas, to quickly table a bill for the planned pension reforms. Chancellor Merkel's representative, Economics Minister Katherina Reiche, assured the "Bild am Sonntag" that she trusted the government would implement the decisions taken in the cabinet and the proposals made through long negotiations.