Politics · Germany · 7 hrs ago
Klingbeil says pension reform remains on schedule after Bas resigns
Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil defended Bärbel Bas after she resigned as Germany’s labour minister.
He said she had not delayed the coalition’s planned pension reform.
The coalition had agreed to wait until after state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern before presenting legislation.
Officials still need to settle details, including rules on retirement without reductions after 45 years of contributions and on mini-jobs.
Klingbeil said the reform would go ahead, and that Bas’s successor, Alexander Schweitzer, would start work quickly.
He also criticised what he described as a damaging political climate in Berlin, including pressure on Bas from the opposition Union.
Bas is grieving the death of her stepdaughter.
Lars Klingbeil said Germany’s pension reform remains on schedule and that Bärbel Bas did not delay it.
He said the coalition had agreed to wait until after three state elections before introducing legislation.
Klingbeil said unresolved issues include pension eligibility after 45 contribution years and rules for mini-jobs.
Bas resigned as labour minister, and Klingbeil said her successor, Alexander Schweitzer, would move quickly.
He criticised what he described as a toxic political atmosphere in Berlin and pressure placed on Bas.
- Who
- Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil defended former Labour Minister Bärbel Bas and discussed her successor, Alexander Schweitzer.
- What
- Klingbeil said the pension reform remains on schedule and was not delayed by Bas.
- When
- October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Political Berlin; Klingbeil made the remarks on an ARD “Brennpunkt” programme.
- Why
- The coalition had agreed to wait until after three state elections before presenting legislation, and some policy questions remain unresolved.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The coalition agreed to wait until after state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Klingbeil defended Bas and said the pension reform remained on schedule.
- Pension reform
- Klingbeil said it remains on schedule
- Former labour minister
- Bärbel Bas
- Successor
- Alexander Schweitzer (SPD)
- Elections to await
- Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Pension issue under discussion
- Retirement without deductions after 45 contribution years
What people are saying
Wir waren wie verabredet im Zeitplan auch für die Rentenreform
da gibt es auch kein Wackeln dran
Das macht Leute kaputt, das überschreitet Grenzen und das sorgt auch dafür, dass das Klima im politischen Berlin vergiftet wird
Sources
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