CDU Leader Merz Rejects Pension Cuts

Merz: "I will not cut pensions!"

CDU leader Friedrich Merz has ruled out pension cuts in the future. "I will not cut pensions," Merz said at a party conference in Berlin on Monday.

Merz criticized the fact that the traffic light coalition wants to raise the retirement age to 67 years by 2031. "This is socially unjust," said Merz.

The CDU leader also spoke out in favor of a more flexible retirement system. "We need to make it easier for people to retire earlier if they have worked hard all their lives," said Merz.

Merz also called for a strengthening of private old-age provision. "We need to make it more attractive for people to save for their old age," said Merz.

The CDU leader's statements come at a time when there is a heated debate about the future of the pension system in Germany. The traffic light coalition has announced that it wants to reform the pension system in order to make it more sustainable in the long term.

Merz's statements are likely to be met with approval by many CDU members. However, it remains to be seen whether Merz will be able to assert himself against the traffic light coalition in the Bundestag.