Alexander Schweitzer sworn in as Germany’s new Labour Minister

Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) has been sworn in as Germany’s new Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs in the Bundestag. He succeeds Bärbel Bas, who resigned unexpectedly due to personal reasons following the death of her stepdaughter and citing public attacks from coalition partners.

Schweitzer faces immediate pressure to navigate complex social policy challenges, most notably the pension reform. A major point of contention is the potential abolition of the ‘pension at 63’ (the ability to retire early without deductions after 45 years of contributions). While Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) supports the abolition to ensure economic sustainability, Schweitzer has previously expressed skepticism, arguing for fairness and performance-based respect for long-term contributors.

In the ministry, Kerstin Griese will remain as Parliamentary State Secretary. The transition occurs amid broader political shifts within the SPD, as the party prepares for leadership elections and manages the fallout from Bas’s departure.