German Minister Reiche pushes for pension reform decision by year-end

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) demands the controversial pension reform be decided by the end of the year, urging Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) to promptly present a draft bill. Reiche told "Bild am Sonntag" that Bas co-negotiated the coalition agreement and praised the pension commission's results, expressing trust that the cabinet's decisions will be upheld despite resistance within the SPD leadership. Reiche warned against weakening the commission's recommendations, stating she cannot approve removing core components or putting them up for discussion, though she acknowledged potential hardship cases may be debated.