Germany: Will pensions standoff bring Merz's government into question?

Germany: Will pensions standoff bring Merz's government into question?

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed the government's pension reform package on Sunday, putting him at odds with the Junge Union youth wing of his party, which opposes the legislation.

"Yes, I will vote in favour of this pension package with a clear conscience when it comes to a vote in the German Bundestag," Merz said at the Junge Union's Germany Day in Rust, southern Baden.

He said the reform was only the prelude to a more comprehensive debate on fundamental changes in the welfare state. The reorganisation of the pension system must take place during this legislative period, which has already been agreed within the coalition, he said.

Merz also emphasised in his speech that there would be no cooperation of any kind between

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