Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets for May Day demonstrations in Germany. Participants of the rallies warned the government that they are ready to fight against cuts to pensions, social benefits, and the healthcare system, UNN reports, citing DW.
"Our work first, your profit second" — under this slogan, more than 400 events were held across Germany, according to the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB). According to its data, more than 366,000 people took part in the demonstrations.
Yasmin Fahimi, head of the German Trade Union Confederation, called on participants to "remain ready for the struggle in the coming weeks and months." She categorically rejected the possibility of abolishing the 8-hour workday and reducing the level of the state pension.
"Anyone who encroaches on the level of guaranteed pensions provokes a large-scale social conflict," Fahimi emphasized. Trade unions also spoke out against planned cuts in the health insurance system.
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Addendum
The publication notes that in Germany, against the backdrop of a growing budget deficit, the authorities are preparing large-scale cuts in social spending, primarily in the healthcare and care systems. This involves not only reducing state subsidies for health insurance, pensions, and elderly care, but also shifting part of the costs onto the citizens themselves. Discussions include increasing contributions, abolishing free insurance for non-working spouses, and increasing co-payments for medical treatment. In the pension sector, ideas are also being voiced to limit the role of the state pension to a basic level and to stimulate private savings. These measures are aimed at saving billions of euros but are already causing controversy.