CDU lawmaker advocates full pension package amid internal party debate

Internal friction within Germany's conservative alliance has intensified as CDU lawmaker Pascal Reddig publicly rejected calls from party minister-presidents to alter proposed pension reforms. Reddig urged colleagues to accept the expert advisory panel's recommendations as a complete package rather than dismantling individual measures.

The debate follows pressure from Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, who called on the CDU/CSU parliamentary group to define its position on deduction-free early retirement. Meanwhile, CSU leader Markus Söder publicly reinforced his backing for CDU chairman Friedrich Merz, expressing certainty that Merz will remain the joint chancellor candidate in the upcoming national elections.

Sources: FAZ.