German lawmakers push for pension and inheritance‑tax reforms

Vice chairs of the German pension commission, SPD MP Annika Klose and CDU MP Pascal Reddig, criticised the highly ritualised legislative process in the Bundestag, warning that laws are often passed by routine rather than substantive debate. Reddig said, “Legislation in the Bundestag is extremely ritualised,” and both urged the coalition to adopt a broader vision for society when shaping pension policy.

At the same time, the CDU’s employee wing (CDA) and the party’s youth faction called for a reform of the inheritance tax, citing Germany’s “massive wealth inequality.” CDA chief Dennis Radtke told the Stern that “there must be no Bavarian special‑wurst” and urged the coalition to consider exemptions for large fortunes and curb tax‑avoidance schemes. Both initiatives are slated for discussion at the upcoming coalition committee meeting, where broader tax and budget reforms are also on the agenda.