German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected the possibility of governing with a minority government amid tensions within his conservative party over pension reform proposals, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
“In my opinion, it is out of the question that we will take such a step. Does anyone believe that in the current Bundestag we will be able to work with floating majorities and carry out reasonable legislative work?“, Merz commented during an economic conference in Berlin.
His statement followed media reports that the party he leads - the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - – is considering a minority government scenario.
The tension arose over pension reform proposals that have already been approved by Merz and his coalition partners from the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) but have been rejected by the CDU's youth wing. It is predicted that 18 deputies affiliated with the youth wing could vote against the reform, which would block its adoption in the lower house of parliament.
Despite internal disagreements, the German chancellor assured that the coalition with the SPD will certainly continue next year.