The

“There is, of course, absolutely no change for the governing coalition,” Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said following the Labour Minister and SPD co-chair’s unexpected resignation, seeking to reassure those concerned about another crisis within Berlin’s coalition government.

The German foreign minister stressed that the alliance between the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats had a four-year mandate, adding that both Germany and Europe needed political stability. He also expressed his support for Bärbel Bas, describing her as a highly valued person whose absence would be felt within the government.

For his part, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he understood the minister’s decision, particularly in light of the personal tragedy she had experienced following the death of her stepdaughter. The chancellor acknowledged that he and Bas had political disagreements, but emphasised that these concerned matters of policy substance alone and had never involved personal disputes. He said that in recent weeks he had asked CDU officials to show particular discretion, respect and human sensitivity towards her.

Conflict Over Pensions and the Labour Market

In recent months, Christian Democratic officials had repeatedly accused the outgoing minister of delaying crucial reforms to the pension system and labour market, as well as the submission of draft legislation agreed upon as part of the coalition deal.

Christian Democratic politicians, including MP Stefan Nacke, head of the workers’ affairs group within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, publicly called on the minister to submit “legislation immediately,” while portraying her as primarily responsible for delays to the reforms in question.

CDU Pressures Bas to Push Through Immediate Reforms

Particular criticism focused on Bas’s position on reforming working hours, which would allow greater flexibility compared with the existing eight-hour working day, as well as on reform of the so-called “retirement at 63” scheme.

According to German media reports, in early October the parliamentary group of German conservatives reportedly threatened to withhold its support for the tax reform proposed by Finance Minister and SPD co-chair Lars Klingbeil unless the Labour Ministry promptly submitted bills on social security and the labour market.

Support from the SPD and Klingbeil

Finance Minister and SPD co-chair Lars Klingbeil cancelled a planned trip to India following Bärbel Bas’s resignation. He described the attacks she had faced while grieving as “inappropriate” and “offensive.”

Manuela Schwesig, Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, adopted an even more forceful tone, describing the political conduct directed towards the now-former Labour Minister as “ruthless” and even “inhumane.”