Germany: overview of the parties’ campaign programs before the legislative election of September 22

About a week to the German federal election, when speculation about possible coalitions after the vote is rife (reelection of the current CDU/CSU and FDP coalition, a “red-green” coalition between the SPD and the Green party with the support of Die Linke, the radical left-wing party, or even, and this is the most likely combination, a big coalition between the CDU/CSU and the SPD), Planet Labor has looked at the labor-related measures defended by the major political parties.  Even though there are some big differences between the programs, the German social agenda for the next four years will be about new laws on minimum wage, temporary work, precarious work (fixed-term contracts), gender equality, quotas for women on boards, or even comanagement.  (Ref.  130538)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Minimum wage. Regarding minimum wage, there are two sides: on the one hand the parties from the outgoing coalition (the Christian Democratic Union, CDU, its Bavarian ally, the Social Democratic Union, CSU, and the liberal party, FDP) keep calling for minimum wage negotiated regularly by the social partners, depending on the sectors and the regions. On the other, the opposition (Social Democratic Party, SPD, the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, and Die Linke, the far-left party) want the introduction...

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
4 November 2025
Romania: parents of children with disabilities granted up to eight days of remote work per month
On 9 October, the Romanian parliament adopted a bill aiming to bolster support for parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 18. The legislation, which came into force on 12 October...
Carrefour and UNI Global Union renew global agreement on promoting social dialogue and diversity
On 17 October, Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retailers, with nearly 500,000 employees worldwide, and global union federation UNI Global Union renewed their global agreement on...
mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators
In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...
31 October 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Germany: legal battle at Tesla ahead of works council election
The Frankfurt/Oder labour court has postponed a mid-November hearing in the case between the IG Metall union and Michaela Schmitz, employee representative and head of the works council at the...
2
Netherlands: ING cites AI as it plans to cut around 950 jobs
Dutch bank ING has informed the employment agency UWV that it may cut around 950 jobs by 31 December 2026. In its notification on 20 October, the lender said the planned reductions stem partly...
30 October 2025
3
AI-driven job cuts on the rise in tech sector
As leading tech companies ramp up investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and roll out transformation plans to boost its development, layoffs across the sector are increasing. But are the job...
7 October 2025
4
France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy
On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its...
5
France: austerity measures proposed in social security financing bill for 2026
Limits on sick leave, the end of social security exemptions for apprentices, and the introduction of additional birth leave: the 2026 social security financing bill, presented to parliament on 14...
16 October 2025
6
Carrefour and UNI Global Union renew global agreement on promoting social dialogue and diversity
On 17 October, Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retailers, with nearly 500,000 employees worldwide, and global union federation UNI Global Union renewed their global agreement on...