Merz defends German budget cuts and coalition reforms during heated RTL town-hall debate

Confrontation over healthcare cuts

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced direct public questioning during a televised town-hall broadcast on RTL titled "Am Tisch mit Friedrich Merz", hosted by Pinar Atalay at the network's capital studio in Berlin. The encounter contrasted with the federal government's retreat at Schloss Neuhardenberg earlier in the week. Four citizens, consisting of a pediatrician, a father, an entrepreneur, and a pastor, pressed the Chancellor on policy decisions. Lower Saxony pediatrician and single mother Bea Merscher attacked the statutory health insurance savings package, describing the law as destructive and claiming the sector faces severe strain. Merscher referenced the Chancellor's status as a multi-millionaire and asked why he was violating his constitutional oath. Merz dismissed the accusation as an unfair personal attack, crossed his arms, and stated that Merscher herself is a beneficiary of the healthcare system. He maintained that all healthcare actors, including pharmaceutical companies, must provide savings contributions.

That is a personal degradation, that goes too far.

Sick leave and family policy disputes

The discussion turned to the return of mandatory medical sick leave certificates from the first day of illness, a measure announced in July. Merscher, who launched a public petition against the policy, asserted that the rule places workers under blanket suspicion of faking illness. Merz countered that the legislation restores the pre-pandemic legal situation, where social associations, companies, and unions could agree on flexible exceptions, while eliminating the temporary telephone sick note rule. Oliver Berndt, a father of three from the Coburg district in Bavaria, challenged Merz regarding parental allowance revisions planned by Family Minister Karin Prien. Prien's proposal slightly increases monthly payments but shortens maximum claim duration from 14 months to 12 months, and to nine months for single-earner households. Berndt asked whether infants should enter daycare at nine months old. Merz replied that budget constraints limit spending, while noting planned increases to regular child benefits and child tax allowances.

Coalition governance and pension reform

Matthias Kappis, a civil engineer and entrepreneur, expressed frustration with the administration, arguing that unfulfilled promises drive voters toward the political fringes. Kappis stated that the Alternative for Germany draws strength from government errors and described the political firewall as divisive, recalling Merz's earlier proposals such as a simplified tax return. Addressing low poll ratings for the CDU-SPD coalition, Merz acknowledged that negotiations take longer than expected but pointed to early economic indicators as grounds for optimism. Merz stated that he cannot simply mandate good public cheer, adding that his priority is keeping his government unified to achieve results for the country. Merz contrasted his administration with that of his predecessor Olaf Scholz, stating that Scholz led a government that ceased to follow him and ultimately collapsed. Merz also defended proposed pension reforms, advocating transition periods for phasing out penalty-free retirement after 45 contribution years while insisting that the core direction of the legislation remains firm.