Bärbel Bas announced her resignation as Labor Minister and co-chair of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) on October 12, 2026, citing the need for time to grieve following her stepdaughter's death. In her statement, Bas also referenced public attacks against her, including criticism from coalition partners. The resignation comes as the coalition government, which includes the center-right Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), is under pressure to deliver key legislative proposals from the Ministry of Labor, particularly regarding pension reform.
Christian von Stetten, head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group's caucus for medium-sized enterprises, criticized Bas for blocking necessary reforms. CDU Economy Minister Katherina Reiche echoed this sentiment, calling for prompt action on pension reform despite being aware of Bas's personal challenges.
SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil condemned the political attacks against Bas, describing them as disgraceful and detrimental to political discourse. He urged politicians to reflect on their actions to protect individuals in politics.
Following Bas's resignation, Alexander Schweitzer, former state premier of Rhineland-Palatinate, has been appointed as the new Federal Minister of Labor. Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed confidence in Schweitzer's ability to foster cooperation within the federal government and emphasized the need for the pending legislative proposals to progress.
Merz denied any personal discussions with Bas regarding her resignation and stated he had encouraged her to take the necessary time to grieve. The resignation has intensified mistrust within the coalition, with SPD lawmakers noting a toxic political climate.
Both the CDU and SPD have faced challenges with low poll numbers and disputes over key reforms, including changes to the electricity tax and labor market reforms. The CDU recently experienced a historic election defeat in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
In response to criticism, the CDU leadership has indicated a shift in priorities towards social issues, including affordable housing and healthcare. Merz acknowledged the need to address voters' concerns about social decline and announced plans to lower the electricity tax. He reiterated the importance of maintaining a stable coalition government to act effectively on the international stage.
Both parties recognize that early elections could benefit the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is currently leading in the polls. Despite internal conflicts, Klingbeil and Merz see no viable alternative to their coalition.