Chairman of the Senior Union warns coalition of failure of social reforms - CDU's senior citizens demand urgent pension reforms to prevent political extremism
Hubert Hüppe, head of the CDU's Senior Citizens' Union, has warned the governing black-red coalition against stalling on social reforms. He stressed that delays could fuel support for radical political groups. His comments come as the Pensions Commission prepares to release key proposals by mid-year.
Hüppe, who took charge of the Senior Citizens' Union last year, called for urgent action on pensions, healthcare, and long-term care. The group, founded in 1988 and representing around 54,000 CDU members over 60, will push for reform at the party's upcoming conference. Their motion demands the parliamentary group drive forward sustainable pension changes.
He cautioned that rejecting expert recommendations would risk destabilising social security—and democracy itself. With the Pensions Commission set to suggest cost-saving measures, including aligning civil servant pensions with general schemes, Hüppe urged his party to avoid pre-emptive red lines. Instead, he insisted all sides must show flexibility once the proposals arrive.
Failure to act, he warned, would hand momentum to extremist factions on both the left and right. The commission's plans, aimed at curbing expenditure growth and improving job opportunities, could reshape coalition policy if adopted.
The Senior Citizens' Union will formally press the CDU to back sweeping pension reforms. Hüppe's warnings highlight the stakes as the Pensions Commission's mid-year report approaches. Without compromise, he argued, the coalition risks undermining public trust in social systems.
