SPD candidates in eastern Germany reject federal pension overhaul

Leading SPD candidates in Saxony‑Anhalt, Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern and Berlin have voiced strong opposition to the coalition government’s pension reform that would end the pension‑free retirement after 45 contribution years. Armin Willingmann (Saxony‑Anhalt) warned that the change threatens decades‑long expectations of workers in the east, while Manuela Schwesig (Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern) and Steffen Krach (Berlin) called the plan unbalanced and demanded amendments before implementation. The politicians also criticised a parallel proposal to require immediate medical certification for sick leave, saying it would place employees under suspicion and overload an already strained primary‑care system. They argued that a higher wealth tax would not persuade voters, and suggested the government’s procedural handling could fail in parliament. The contested reforms are slated for discussion ahead of the September state elections in the three regions.