Schwesig Sharply Criticizes Merz's Remarks on Early Retirement

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Minister-President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) has criticized statements made by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) regarding the planned abolition of early retirement without penalty. “The chancellor will not decide on pension reform alone. And that’s a good thing,” Schwesig told the *Rheinische Post*. “I recommend entering into discussions with the state premiers on this matter.”

Following the two-day cabinet retreat at Neuhardenberg Castle in Brandenburg, Merz emphasized that he intends to press ahead with the abolition of early retirement without reductions after 45 years of contributions—despite all opposition, including from within his own party. The three East German CDU state premiers—Sven Schulze (Saxony-Anhalt), Michael Kretschmer (Saxony), and Mario Voigt (Thuringia)—had jointly opposed the reform, as had Schwesig and other SPD state premiers.

Schwesig reiterated that fairness in benefits is crucial to them. This includes the number of years of contributions. “Anyone who started working at 16 or 18 and has worked their entire life and paid into the pension fund should still be able to retire two years earlier without any reductions.” The reform would hit society’s top contributors of all people. “The chancellor would be well advised to finally set this proposal aside.”