Three conservative state premiers in eastern Germany have broken with their own party, demanding that workers who have contributed for 45 years retain the right to retire without deductions. The pushback from Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia sets them against federal Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, who warned against reopening a pension compromise struck on July 1.
Thuringia's Mario Voigt argued the provision is especially important in the east, while Saxony-Anhalt's Sven Schulze pointed to persistent differences between eastern and western pension systems. Saxony's Michael Kretschmer noted that the three states collectively hold twelve votes in the Bundesrat, giving them leverage over federal legislation. The premiers are also calling for transitional arrangements and hardship exemptions.
The dispute carries electoral weight: Saxony-Anhalt holds a state election on September 6, followed by votes in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern two weeks later. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Social Democratic premier, Manuela Schwesig, has likewise backed preserving the early retirement provision.