(de-news.net) – Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Secretary General Carsten Linnemann has urged the federal government to implement sweeping social reforms modeled on former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s Agenda 2010. He asserted that, given current socioeconomic pressures, the ruling coalition must pursue decisive action. Referring to SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil’s recent commendation of Schröder’s reform legacy, Linnemann argued that such recognition should translate into substantive policy initiatives. Agenda 2010, introduced in March 2003, comprised major labor market and welfare reforms aimed at addressing economic stagnation and high unemployment.
Linnemann also voiced strong objections to the increased public funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), stressing the necessity of rigorous oversight to prevent support for entities with any ties to extremism, including Islamism, antisemitism, or radical ideologies. Linnemann emphasized that such funding must be halted and noted that Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) is expected to revise allocations, particularly during the 2026 budget deliberations.
The proposal advanced by CDU Secretary General Linnemann to implement change in the German social system has elicited criticism from Felix Banaszak, Chairman of the Green Party. In light of the SPD’s unfavorable experiences with previous agenda-oriented initiatives, Banaszak expressed reservations regarding the call for an ‘Agenda 2030,’ contending that such measures do not contribute meaningfully to the stabilization of the social welfare system. In his view, genuine commitment to substantive reform requires less rhetoric and a greater focus on putting forth practical and socially equitable solutions.
Meanwhile, former SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel similarly advocated for reforming Germany’s welfare systems. He proposed linking pension adjustments to inflation rather than the current formula, which would result in more modest increases. Highlighting demographic strains — namely an aging population and declining birth rates — Gabriel argued for a sustainable model that maintains retirees’ purchasing power without overburdening younger generations.
