Germany’s conservative alliance of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) is facing growing political pressure as it signals major changes to social welfare and labor market policies, sparking criticism ahead of key state elections.
Since taking office in May last year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has largely continued his predecessor’s policy course, particularly in foreign affairs. His government has prioritized strengthening the Bundeswehr to ensure NATO’s readiness even without U.S. involvement and has maintained firm support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
In recent weeks, however, the focus has shifted to domestic policy. Merz has repeatedly argued that Germans are not working enough, criticizing concepts such as work-life balance and the four-day workweek as incompatible with national prosperity. His remarks appear aimed at Germany’s high rate of part-time employment, which exceeded 40% of total employment in September 2025, according to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) in Nuremberg.
The high share of part-time work is closely linked to Germany’s relatively strong female labor participation. Many women continue to shoulder most childcare and eldercare responsibilities, limiting their ability to work full time. Part-time employment is also legally protected in Germany. Merz’s comments have therefore triggered unease even within conservative ranks, particularly with important state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate scheduled for March. Party officials fear the government could be portrayed as socially insensitive during the campaign.
Tensions intensified after the CDU Economic Council published a policy paper last weekend. It proposed reducing unemployment benefit eligibility for older workers from two years to one and removing dental care from statutory health coverage. Under the proposal, patients would have to pay for dental treatment themselves or purchase additional private coverage.
Opposition parties reacted sharply. Green parliamentary leader Katharina Dr?ge described the idea of treating dental care as a luxury as “elitist,” while Left Party leader Heidi Reichinnek called it “an insult to the majority of people.” Resistance has also emerged within the CDU, and the Social Democrats (SPD), coalition partners in government, have strongly criticized the Dental Insurance proposal. Rhineland-Palatinate’s SPD premier Alexander Schweitzer questioned its economic benefit, warning that fewer dental visits would do little to boost growth.
Rhineland-Palatinate will hold its state election on March 22. Although the CDU has led polls for months, its advantage over the SPD has narrowed to just three percentage points, raising hopes among Social Democrats that a campaign focused on social policy could shift momentum.
The CDU is set to debate the Economic Council’s proposals at its national party conference in Stuttgart on February 20–21. With elections looming in two key states, the political consequences of the debate remain uncertain.