Armin Willingmann defends student minijobs and opposes pension cuts in Sachsen‑Anhalt

SPD Spitzenkandidat Armin Willingmann in Sachsen‑Anhalt has called for the continuation of Minijobs for students, arguing that the side‑earnings help students keep more net income during their studies. He warned that abolishing these jobs could push earnings into the informal economy, saying “It would also prevent necessary side earnings from moving into black or informal employment.”

Willingmann also criticised the federal pension reform proposals of the Alterssicherungskommission, which aim to eliminate the zero‑penalty retirement after 45 contribution years and to slow pension growth to the level of wages. He said the plan would harm many long‑time workers, especially in eastern Germany, and that the pension system should protect “a huge number of people in East Germany.” The comments come ahead of September state elections in Sachsen‑Anhalt, Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern and Berlin, where the SPD is seeking to improve its standing.