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Why Germany needs to reform its social security system

Michaela Kuefner
September 18, 2025

Germany’s social security system is under pressure - from rising costs, an aging population, and political deadlock. In this episode, DW’s Michaela Küfner discusses with Prof. Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln (WZB), and DW’s Matthew Moore - whether Germany can still afford its welfare state in the long term and whether Friedrich Merz’s coalition will agree on meaningful reforms.

https://p.dw.com/p/50hus

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

02:28 Welfare State

04:04 Friedrich Merz

04:38 "Autumn of Reform"

09:15 Demographic Factor

11:04 Generational Justice

14:27 Need for Reform

17:10 France

21:42 CDU/CSU and SPD

23:56 AfD

25:09 Alice Weidel

30:40 Gerhard Schröder

32:30 Waiting for the Reforms

33:28 Outlook

36:11 End

 

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