During a press conference at the Willy-Brandt-Haus, Klüssendorf stated that if Merz attempts to reduce the statutory pension to a mere ‘basic pension,’ he will encounter fierce resistance from the Social Democrats. Klüssendorf emphasized that for over half of Germans, and three-quarters in the East, the statutory pension is their only form of retirement security. He criticized the Union for its slow reform efforts and urged Merz to take leadership in coalition negotiations to resolve key policy issues.