Economics Minister Reiche explains the drudgery – and drives the CDU into pension chaos

"Unrealistic," "unrealistic," "a miscast"—these are the drastic complaints outraged unions and the Left Party (Die Linke) are making about the CDU/CSU. But no: These judgments about Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) come from within her own party. Since her push for Germans to work longer and retire later, chaos has reigned within the CDU and CSU. The CDU/CSU—usually committed to state-supporting unity—is currently engaged in an internal battle that could hardly be more grotesque.

What started as a casual summer lull debate is now burning deep into the ranks of the Union – and at the worst possible time.

Reiche, formerly head of the energy company Westenergie, is putting her own party in dire straits. In the coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and the SPD had painstakingly reached agreement on stabilizing pension levels, a moderate active pension, and a commitment to the existing retirement age. Now this move – completely uncoordinated, without flanking support, without a plan. The protest came swiftly: from the SPD, the DGB (Confederation of German Trade Unions) – and from within the party's own ranks. The employee wing of the CDU/CSU summarily declared Reiche a "misfit." Union discipline? None.

The truly remarkable thing is that Reiche, a native of Brandenburg, simply said out loud what many in the CDU/CSU have long been thinking. The demographic tsunami is rolling in. Baby boomers are retiring, contribution income is shrinking, the intergenerational contract is creaking – clearly, someone has to fill the gap. But when Reiche says it, the way she says it, and above all, the fact that she just blurts it out without consulting anyone, makes her words not a reform proposal, but political arson with total loss.

Reiche's pension initiative: No applause, only anger

It's pure technocratic thinking, detached from reality. Anyone who tells the working middle class, in times of inflation , tax burdens, and fear of the future, that they should work beyond their retirement age , while simultaneously discussing rising contributions and tax subsidies, will not receive applause—but anger.

And it is now directed primarily against the Union.

Reich's solo effort reveals the party's strategic weakness. It wants to appear economically sensible – yet is repeatedly suspected of being socially cold. The CDU wants to appear modern, but politically, it still thinks like it did in 1998. It demands performance – but has no idea how that's even supposed to work in the everyday life of a parcel delivery person, a nurse, or a bricklayer. It invokes the intergenerational contract – forgetting that a contract always has two sides. Work longer, rest later: Perhaps sensible in theory. In reality, a mockery.

Reiche put the ball on the penalty spot for the SPD

That the SPD can now gleefully portray itself as the protector of the hard-working class is irrelevant. Reiche has put the ball on the penalty spot for the Social Democrats. The Willy Brandt House could hardly have wished for a better opportunity.

But that provoked her, whether she meant it or not. Meanwhile, the CDU/CSU are openly attacking each other: The CDU's social affairs committees are practically demanding Reiche's resignation, using the term "miscast," while Christian Social Democrats are throwing up their hands in horror, while pro-business forces are expressing confusion. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt calls the minister's proposal "unrealistic." Boom! What's going on here isn't a debate. This is self-flagellation, and heads could, or perhaps should, roll soon.

Entangled between opposition reflex and government responsibility

And at the top? Merz remains silent – or is maneuvering. The chancellor, already plagued by poor poll ratings, is the face of a party caught between oppositional reflexes and government responsibility. Instead of conveying stability and order, the CDU/CSU is currently producing a cacophony of individual voices – sometimes economically liberal, sometimes socially conservative, rarely strategic.

That's bitter, and plays into the hands not only of the coalition partner, but also of the opposition, led by the AfD . And it's causing frustration again: Voters see a party that expects them to do more work - without a plan. A party that demands performance - but so far offers no perspective. A party that emphasizes the seriousness of the situation - and yet has hardly any convincing concepts. Anyone who pursues politics like that not only loses votes but also loses all credibility. Anyone who tells people they should work longer needs not only courage but a damn good concept. The CDU/CSU has neither the one nor the other at the moment. Only internal noise. And the response sounds disastrous.