Merz attends union congress

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced a severe reception at a union congress in Berlin, where delegates stopped and whistled as he defended his economic reforms.
He said Germany can no longer maintain well-being without deep structural reforms, writes politico.
The German leader stressed that the country has failed to modernise the economy and the social system, requiring <x0 recovery and fiscal discipline”. However, discussion of savings measures and pension reform prompted negative reactions from the public.
He called pension reform “the most difficult issue”, adding that it is based on “demography and math”, but that statement was received with whistles and discontent in the hall, Telegrafi reports. Periscope.
His government is under domestic pressure as the coalition continues debates on reducing public spending, including savings packages in the health sector.
Merzi's popularity is on the decline, while polls show strong discontent with the government and increased support for the far-right AfD, which is benefiting from the economic crisis and high energy prices.
Despite tensions, Merz called on trade unions for co-operation, stressing the need for common solutions to improve the country's economic situation. /Periscope












