German parliament to decide on controversial pension legislation on Friday

The outcome is expected to be extremely close, prompting heavily pregnant Construction Minister Verena Hubertz to participate despite having recently begun maternity leave, according to a spokesperson.

A faction of 18 younger lawmakers from Merz's conservative camp has indicated they might oppose the reform, citing concerns over rising costs. The legislation proposes changes to statutory pensions along with a new "active pension" initiative set to launch in early 2026.

Although senior conservative figures are urging party members to support the plan, the youth wing of the CDU has stopped short of enforcing a block vote, allowing each member to vote according to personal judgment. This sets the stage for a suspenseful vote, as the government holds a very narrow majority in the Bundestag.

Currently, the coalition of Merzs Christian Democrats (CDU), their Bavarian partners in the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) controls 328 of the 630 seats. With a full attendance, just 13 defecting conservatives could defeat the government if they side with the opposition, potentially jeopardizing the coalitions stability.

Author: Ava Mitchell