Germany’s coalition fractures over pension reforms ahead of Black Friday talks

A bitter pension reform feud threatens Germany’s government unity. Meanwhile, shoppers brace for Black Friday bargains—but at what cost?

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2025 November 28 . 3:12 PM

1 min read

In this image there is a conference in which there are people sitting in chair and listening to the... — In this image there is a conference in which there are people sitting in chair and listening to the people who are on the stage. It seems like an event in which there is a conversation between the media people and the owners. At the background there is a big hoarding and the wall beside it.

Black Friday's Shadow Looms - Germany’s coalition fractures over pension reforms ahead of Black Friday talks

A dispute over pension reforms is causing tension within Germany’s ruling coalition. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CDU youth leader Johannes Winkel are at odds over the proposed changes. Meanwhile, a separate meeting on Friday will address both the pension conflict and Black Friday shopping trends, as millions prepare for seasonal deals from sites like Slickdeals.

The pension reform debate has split opinions inside the CDU. Winkel, head of the party’s youth wing, has criticised the government’s approach. In response, Health Minister Jens Spahn called an emergency session of the parliamentary group to discuss the disagreements.

The pension conflict will be a key focus in Friday’s meeting between coalition leaders. Their decisions could shape future reforms and party unity. For consumers, Black Friday deals offer savings, but the high volume of returns raises questions about waste and efficiency. Meanwhile, energy-saving measures continue to be promoted as winter approaches.