Union board member Piel stated that Merz’s comments do not inspire confidence and called for viable solutions. Both SPD’s Brandenburg Minister President Woidke and CDU’s Thüringen Minister President Voigt highlighted the unique challenges faced by individuals in Eastern Germany, who often lack supplementary retirement savings. SPD parliamentary group leader Miersch emphasized that pensions are a promised benefit, not social assistance. In defense of Merz, Chancellor’s Office Minister Frei and CDU Secretary General Linnemann argued that the SPD must confront the longstanding issues within the pension system. This report aired on Deutschlandfunk on April 22, 2026.