Germany: Merz faces conservative youth wing in Bonn amid party tensions

Merz defends planned reforms

Merz said his government’s reform plans would disrupt both the country and his party, but argued they were the CDU’s only viable path. He called for changes to retirement, nursing care and health insurance systems.

He wants his Cabinet to approve the reforms by year’s end. A proposed increase to the retirement age is controversial, with opposition from Social Democratic coalition partners and three CDU state premiers in eastern Germany.

Merz said the party must restore sustainable economic growth and prepare the welfare system for the future before the next parliamentary election. Otherwise, he warned, the CDU would have little chance of success.

Young Union meets amid tensions

The Bonn conference brings Merz before the Christian Democrats’ youth organization after a previous address was marked by conflict over pension policy. His appearance comes as his approval ratings have fallen and party members question his leadership.

North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wüst spoke to delegates on Friday, and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder was scheduled to address them on Sunday. Both have been discussed as potential replacements for Merz. Winkel said the gathering was not a contest for the chancellorship.

Ukraine funding and rallies

Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan called for an exemption to debt-spending rules to cover shortfalls in Ukraine assistance. She warned that continued cuts to development aid would make it impossible to maintain support. In Schleswig-Holstein, the AfD youth group Generation Deutschland planned a rally under the motto “Secure the Future — Safeguard Identity.” A pro-democracy counterdemonstration was also scheduled, with police expecting roughly 3,000 participants altogether.