Politics · Germany · 1 hr ago
Lauterbach criticizes CDU over treatment of Bärbel Bas
Former German health minister Karl Lauterbach criticized the CDU on a television discussion show.
He said the party treated former labor minister Bärbel Bas unfairly after she resigned while grieving her stepdaughter.
The CDU had repeatedly accused Bas of delaying work on reform proposals.
CDU politician Nathaniel Liminski said it was reasonable to ask when draft laws would be ready, given the time spent discussing reforms.
Lauterbach said the CDU had put unfair pressure on Bas over pension changes and should acknowledge any mistake.
Former Left Party leader Jan van Aken also sharply condemned the CDU, while Liminski pointed to criticism of the SPD’s own conduct.
A journalist warned that calling a coalition partner inhuman could make it harder for the parties to work together.
Former German health minister Karl Lauterbach criticized the CDU over its treatment of former Labour Minister Bärbel Bas.
He said Bas had been treated unfairly and that pressure from the Union over reforms was undignified.
CDU politician Nathaniel Liminski defended calls for draft legislation after months of debate about reforms.
The dispute took place on the television programme Hart aber fair.
Former Left Party leader Jan von Aken also condemned the CDU, while Liminski urged caution about judging others’ humanity.
- Who
- Karl Lauterbach criticized the CDU; Nathaniel Liminski defended it. Bärbel Bas was the subject of the dispute.
- What
- Lauterbach said Bas had been treated unfairly and that pressure on her was undignified.
- When
- The discussion was broadcast on 2026-10-13, according to Bild’s publication date.
- Where
- On the television programme Hart aber fair.
- Why
- Lauterbach objected to CDU criticism of Bas over delays in reforms and said she had been pressured over pension changes.
Karl Lauterbach
Nathaniel Liminski
Treatment of Bas
Karl Lauterbach
Lauterbach said Bas was treated unfairly and that pressure from the Union was not worthy.
Nathaniel Liminski
Liminski said it was reasonable to expect draft legislation after months of debate.
Political conduct
Karl Lauterbach
Lauterbach called on the Union to acknowledge it may have made a mistake.
Nathaniel Liminski
Liminski cautioned against judging others’ humanity, citing the SPD’s push for an inquiry into a cancer-stricken minister.
Reforms were discussed in Germany, Liminski said.
Lauterbach said Bas was pressured to implement them and that he wanted a fundamental discussion.
Bild reported Lauterbach's criticism of the CDU during Hart aber fair.
- Programme
- Hart aber fair
- Critic
- Karl Lauterbach, former health minister and SPD politician
- Subject
- Bärbel Bas, former labour minister and SPD politician
- Defender of CDU
- Nathaniel Liminski, North Rhine-Westphalia minister and CDU politician
- Publication date
- 2026-10-13
What people are saying
Bärbel Bas was treated very unfairly.
It is not unreasonable to expect that draft legislation will eventually be produced.
What has happened to this CDU?
I would simply find it great if the Union were willing to say: Here we may have made a mistake.
Sources
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