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Johannes Volkmann is part of a group of young CDU\/CSU hawks pushing for a return to more economically liberal and socially conservative values \u00a9 IMAGO\/dts Nachrichtenagentur via Reuters Connect<\/p>\nYoung German conservatives including the grandson of former chancellor Helmut Kohl have rebelled against the government\u2019s pension bill, compounding Chancellor Friedrich Merz\u2019s legislative woes.<\/p>\n
A group of 18 younger MPs from Merz\u2019s Christian Democratic (CDU\/CSU) bloc have in recent weeks threatened to block pension measures approved by the coalition cabinet, arguing that the plan places an excessive financial burden on future generations. The faction is large enough to deprive Merz of his 12-seat majority in the 630-seat assembly. <\/p>\n
The threat highlights frictions within Merz\u2019s coalition \u2014 including his own party \u2014 as he seeks to reform Germany\u2019s expensive welfare state. <\/p>\n
Merz has portrayed his government as the political centre\u2019s last chance to revive Europe\u2019s largest economy and curtail the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany, which won more than a fifth of seats in February elections. <\/p>\n
But widening divisions among coalition MPs have led to a string of disputes and heightened legislative uncertainty. A Forsa poll this week found that three-quarters of Germans are dissatisfied with the coalition. <\/p>\n
Peter Matuschek, chief of the polling institute, said he could not recall an instance in recent decades where a youth wing of any party had wielded such influence over the legislative process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority is so tight for the governing parties that there is greater risk that small groups join forces to press their own demands and potentially block projects,\u201d he said. Matuschek added that the row risked deepening negative perceptions of the coalition\u2019s ability to drive through reforms.<\/p>\n
One young conservative challenging the pension bill is Kohl\u2019s 28-year-old grandson Johannes Volkmann, who entered parliament in May for the western Lahn\u2011Dill constituency, near Frankfurt. <\/p>\n
Johannes Volkmann is part of a group of young CDU\/CSU hawks pushing for a return to more economically liberal and socially conservative values \u00a9 IMAGO\/dts Nachrichtenagentur via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
Volkmann and his allies argue that the bill, designed to guarantee statutory pensions at 48 per cent of previous income until 2031, goes beyond the coalition agreement, with additional costs of \u20ac10bn to \u20ac15bn a year after 2031. A concession made by Merz to his Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners, the guarantee overrides older rules that allow the rate to fall to contain rising costs of an ageing population.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a core generational issue,\u201d Volkmann told the Financial Times. \u201cMost in our caucus support what we are saying.\u201d<\/p>\n
He noted that Merz was sympathetic to their arguments: \u201cHe said that he was taking our concerns very seriously and that these things have to be addressed in parliamentary negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The chancellor acknowledged that the young MPs \u201chad a point\u201d and pledged to discuss the matter with the SPD. But the Social Democrats have signalled no appetite to amend the bill presented by party co-leader and labour minister B\u00e4rbel Bas. <\/p>\n
A clash over this pension guarantee could endanger a broader compromise covering measures including incentives for retirees to keep working<\/a> and expand private pensions and a bonus for older mothers \u2014 three CDU\/CSU demands. <\/p>\n Jens S\u00fcdekum, a D\u00fcsseldorf university economist who advises SPD vice-chancellor and finance minister Lars Klingbeil, called the debate a \u201cpolitical manoeuvre\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have a point that costs will start rising in the mid-2030s. But there\u2019s time to resolve the issue,\u201d said S\u00fcdekum, given that a commission is due next year to present proposals for an overhaul of the pension system. Any government could also revisit the policy once the coalition\u2019s term ends in 2029.<\/p>\n Volkmann belongs to a new parliamentary cohort of young CDU\/CSU hawks pushing for a return to more economically liberal and socially conservative values after what they see as a centrist drift under former party chief Angela Merkel, Merz\u2019s longtime rival. <\/p>\n
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