Germany’s political scene is facing heated debate after the economic wing of Friedrich Merz’s CDU proposed limiting the legal right to part-time work. The plan would allow employees to reduce working hours only under specific circumstances, such as childcare, caring for relatives, or pursuing training and education alongside work.
The proposal, submitted by the CDU’s Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion, is set to be discussed at the party’s upcoming congress in February. Titled “No legal right to part-time for lifestyle reasons,” the initiative has triggered strong criticism from the political opposition, employee rights groups, and even within the CDU itself.
Under current law, employees can reduce their working hours under certain conditions and retain the right to return to full-time work afterward. Employers may reject such requests only for compelling operational reasons, giving workers significant flexibility to balance professional and personal life.
Sources – Agencies
