Nach Rücktritt: Klingbeil verteidigt Bas: Rentenreform im Zeitplan

Berlin: Vize Chancellor Lars Klingbeil defended the departing Labor Minister Bärbel Bas against criticism of her leadership. "We agreed in advance to stick to the schedule for the pension reform," the SPD leader said in an ARD "Brennpunkt" interview. Bas did not slow down the reform; rather, it was a coalition agreement to wait for the outcome of three state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania before presenting the laws.

There were also substantive questions to clarify, not only about the pension without a delay after 45 contribution years, but also about mini-jobs and other issues. The reform would come, "there is no wavering," said Klingbeil. The new Labor Minister Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) wanted to get things moving quickly, "and there are no major delays."

Klingbeil also criticized the atmosphere in political Berlin. "Overall, there was a climate of criticism, of accusations," he said. "That hurts people, it goes beyond limits and also makes the climate in political Berlin poisonous." Specifically, Klingbeil mentioned confidential conversations with journalists and internal discussions where the Union had pressured Bas despite being aware of her difficult personal situation. The 58-year-old is grieving the loss of her stepdaughter.