Merz advocates for a fresh agreement on justice matters
In a significant event in the political calendar, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) addressed the Chancellor's budget debate, marking the highlight of the budget week. The debate, encompassing federal politics as a whole, saw Merz advocating for a "new consensus of justice" in the debate over social state reforms.
Merz, the second speaker in the debate following Alice Weidel, began by defending his foreign policy approach, stating it is reform policy. He argued that the engagement of the federal government abroad serves to preserve freedom, peace, and prosperity at home. The Chancellor does not share the view that politics is powerless in the face of a complex world.
The reform debate, however, is not limited to foreign policy. Merz emphasised the need for a rethinking of the intergenerational contract for pensions. He stated that the pension system needs to be reformed because society changes, and politics must change too. The older generation should be able to enjoy their retirement in economic security, according to Merz, but young people should not be burdened additionally in the reform process.
The Chancellor's stance on pensions was met with a response from Weidel, who accused Merz of "self-satisfaction" and "left-green reality denial." Despite this, Merz gave the example of immigration policy, stating that the course correction he announced has been successfully initiated. Asylum applications have decreased by 60% compared to the months of August 2024 to August 2025.
The Merz government announced a course change in asylum policy around May 2025, with discussions about tightening migration rules, including a stop to family reunification for war refugees becoming public at that time. This political shift was noted in late May 2025 media reports.
Interestingly, Merz also stated that the separation of internal and external policies is outdated. He considers immigration policy, traditionally an internal policy, as part of his foreign policy approach. This perspective was not shared by all, with the AfD beginning the debate, with Alice Weidel as the first speaker.
In conclusion, the Chancellor's budget debate provided a platform for a back-and-forth between the government and the opposition, with nothing less than justice at stake in the reform debate, according to Merz. The debate is not just about the federal budget, but about the entire federal politics.
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