Minister’s Resignation Rocks Germany’s Coalition
Minister's Resignation Rocks Germany's Coalition
Germany's fragile coalition was rocked Monday as Labour Minister and SPD co-leader Baerbel Bas resigned, citing personal grief and political attacks from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives.
"After my stepdaughter's death, I realised that I need time to come to terms with my grief," Bas, 58, said in a statement. She said public attacks against her had intensified "including from within the ranks of our coalition partner" during her mourning.
The departure is a blow to Merz's black-red coalition of his CDU/CSU bloc and the centre-left SPD, which has been trailing the far-right AfD in polls and was shaken by state elections last month.
Bas oversees welfare and pension policy. CDU politicians had accused her of delaying a crucial pension overhaul intended to address Germany's aging population. The reform is a key pillar of Merz's plan to revive a sluggish economy, but conservatives want pro-business deregulation while SPD defends workers' benefits.
Vice Chancellor and SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil said: "The attacks against her during the past days of her mourning were inappropriate. That is unacceptable." He cancelled a planned trip to India.
Merz, on X, said her decision deserved respect and thanked her for close cooperation.
The SPD said former Rhineland-Palatinate premier Alexander Schweitzer, a deputy leader, will take over as labour minister. Bas will retain her seat in the Bundestag for Duisburg.
The resignation leaves open who will co-lead the SPD and threatens to further stall reforms ahead of five regional elections next year.
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