German politics: Minijob reforms clash and AfD leads polls

The CSU leader Markus Söder faced criticism from SPD co‑leader Lars Klingbeil over a proposal to tighten contributions to the pension and health systems for the roughly 6.8 million workers in Germany’s low‑wage "Minijob" sector. Söder argues that the jobs help farms, retailers and tourism businesses, especially in Bavaria, while Klingbeil warned that higher levies could damage employment and trigger political backlash.

At the same time, a new Insa poll for Bild am Sonntag shows the far‑right AfD maintaining a 29 % share, pulling ahead of the Union (CDU/CSU) which fell to 21 %. The SPD rose to 13 %, the Greens held at 13 %, and the Left at 10 %. The poll also revealed a divided public on a possible ban of the AfD and on whether mainstream parties should maintain a "brand wall" against cooperation with the far‑right.

Both stories illustrate the volatile landscape of German politics ahead of upcoming elections, with policy debates and shifting voter preferences influencing party strategies.