{
  "id": 4447263,
  "title": "Reformen: „Ich bin koalitionstreu, aber …“ – Bärbel Bas verärgert mit Ansage zur Attestpflicht die Union",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/reformen-ich-bin-koalitionstreu-aber-barbel-bas-verargert-mit-ansage",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-30T15:09:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/reformen-bas-kritik-zur-krankschreibung-veraergert-union/100250644.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Bundesministerin für Arbeit und Soziales Bärbel Bas (SPD) has expressed concerns over the proposed implementation of a compulsory sick certification from the first day of illness, just after the coalition reaffirmed their reform plans. The announcement came after Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the ministers highlighted the reforms during the cabinet discussion in Neuhardenberg. The Union and SPD faction leaders later decided on a roadmap for implementation, including the compulsory sick certification. However, Bas soon distanced herself from the plan, stating, \"I am coalition loyal, but we should still ask whether it makes sense.\" Bas pointed to the negotiations with the Union before the summer break, mentioning that they did not want sick leave and a reduction in wage continuity. In exchange, they agreed to the compulsory sick certification from the first day, despite their opposition to its content. This stance contradicts the coalition's proclaimed willingness to reform, as seen during the cabinet discussion in Neuhardenberg, where Merz and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) emphasized their reform agenda. Union and SPD faction leaders expressed their desire to quickly implement the common compromises. The coalition claimed to have decided on several important reform steps for recovery and employment, which were to be adopted in the Bundestag by the end of the year. The measures mentioned the reform of pension benefits and the labor market, explicitly referring to the compulsory sick certification: \"The new regulation of disability certificates from the first day will be flexible and practical,\" the paper stated. Union Social Affairs Chief Matthias Miersch spoke of a \"firm roadmap on which citizens and companies can rely.\" Meanwhile, Bas reiterated her concerns about the measure, stating, \"My worry is that people with a mild infection would go to the doctor on the first day, turning a short absence into a week-long sick leave.\" Exceptions might not fully resolve the issues she sees in the proposal. Some form of exception for tariff-bound companies with different regulations might be necessary. \"If I introduce a duty and then write 95 exceptions into it, one wonders whether it is even needed anymore,\" Bas said. In the Union, there is frustration that Bas has publicly questioned a measure after the coalition announced a united determination during the cabinet discussions. The CDU union wing's chief, Dennis Radtke, called it a \"chronic cacophony\" that benefits neither the land nor the coalition. Even the Ruhr-SPD criticized the move during the faction discussion. While the SPD faction chief Miersch praised his Union counterpart Thorsten Frei (CDU) and CSU Land Group chief Alexander Hoffmann for the joint reform roadmap, the Ruhr-SPD criticized Merz and the federal government in a position paper. The paper, signed by SPD politicians from the Ruhr region, including Bundestag members, criticized not only the chancellor's communication but also concerns about the pension reform and the compulsory sick certification from the first day. Miersch downplayed the significance of the paper, calling it \"expressions of opinion.\" Union Social Affairs Chief Marc Biadacz referred to the results of the cabinet discussion, stating that the package on pensions should be adopted as decided. Similarly, the compulsory sick certification from the first day should be implemented flexibly and practically, according to Biadacz.",
  "summary": "Arbeitsministerin Bas stellt die Änderungen bei der Krankschreibung infrage. Die Union ist verärgert. Schließlich hatte sich die Koalition gerade auf einen Reformfahrplan eingeschworen.",
  "key_points": [
    "Bärbel Bas expresses concerns over compulsory sick certification from first day of illness",
    "Bas distances herself from plan, questions its sense despite coalition loyalty",
    "Union and SPD faction leaders decide on roadmap including compulsory sick certification"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}