“Can we still afford Germany?”

The name of the program says it all: “I’m really excited right now,” said Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) during “Am Puls – Germany Discusses” the future of retirement in Germany. Christian Sievers invites people to the ZDF studio in Berlin for a live discussion. With the title “Can we still finance Germany?” Chancellor Thorsten Frei (CDU), CSU Secretary General Martin Huber, Federal Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas (SPD), AfD leader Tino Chrupalla, Green Party leader Katharina Dröge and Left Party leader Ines Schwerdtner debated the country’s most pressing social and economic issues.

What’s special about this 90-minute program: citizens watch live from their living rooms and confront politicians directly with their everyday questions and concerns. The answer from people watching was clear: many could no longer afford Germany.

At first, “Puls-O-Meter” reveals the gap between politics and citizens. Bas and CSU member Huber remained calm regarding the “Safe retirement” statement – which was once intended as a guarantee. However, in the attached family room, there was “a lot of anger,” as Sievers noted.

Even more drastically with “Be diligent, and you will be fine”: Left-wing leader Schwerdtner turned his anger to the max and said: “Every nurse is more diligent than any politician in this room.” AfD leader Chrupalla supported: “If the work was worth it, we wouldn’t be facing these problems.”

Residents who witnessed it made it clear how dire the situation is for many people. The biggest applause from the video wall went to Fabian Simeon, 20, a train driver from Berlin, who gave a clear analysis:

The criticism was harsh: “We are not taught how we can provide for our personal needs. This is a major failure in our education system.”

Pensioner Wolf Dieter Nest (83), also from Berlin, lives on a pension of 1,200 euros; the rental price will soon rise to 940 euros due to modernization measures. He “will even go to work” at his age, but most of his income will be withheld from him through basic security, he reported.

Single father of two children, Sven Hoppach (48), also chose drastic words: “Children have now become a luxury item.”

The debate over pensions shows how divided politics is. Labor Minister Bas defended the government’s work: “We are only arguing for one generation and I think that is wrong. I have three generations that I have to look after.” He agreed with the young train driver Simeon and called for reform: “We must implement a system where everyone pays: MPs, civil servants, self-employed people.”

Chancellor Frei tried to reassure and promised: “We will decide on the pension commission this year and finalize it by the middle of next year.” He also admitted:

Green Party leader Dröge defended the traffic light failure: “We have agreed to a major pension reform. If the traffic light hadn’t failed, that would have happened too.” He demanded that pension funds “should be covered by more people” and sharply attacked AfD leader Chrupalla: “Politicians like Mr Chrupalla spread racist sentiments that are damaging our economy and pension system.”

Chrupalla lamented that the current pension rate is 48 percent. That was “an audacity for someone who has worked for 45 years.” He criticized the fact that civil servants receive “between 66 and 70 percent” pensions: “Some retirees want that,” said the AfD leader.

Left-wing leader Schwerdtner attacked most sharply: “The fact that such a power play is being carried out by some 24 million pensioners is a scandal.” Schwerdtner called the Junge Union members currently blocking the pension package “some Heiopeans who have never worked.” Turning to Bas, he explained: “Don’t kowtow to the CDU, but do something.” Your core message:

There are also disputes over matters of public finances. AfD leader Chrupalla argues that Germany does not have an income problem. “We have sufficient tax revenue.” But the money will be spent in the wrong places. The main request:

Left-wing leader Schwerdtner countered: “Of course we have an income problem – large assets are not taxed, large inheritances are not taxed.” On the rent issue, he pointed to his party’s rent racketeering app: “If a party uses an app to find thousands of landlords who practice usury, the federal government should do the same.”

Green Party leader Dröge criticized the government: “Electricity tax will not be reduced. The 49 euro ticket will rise to 58 euro. The CDU and SPD make life more expensive.”

Chancellor Frei tried to argue that the government had eased the burden on families – “160 euros per year for a family of four” by abolishing the gas storage levy.

The 90-minute program revealed a fundamental problem: While politicians debate caps, pension levels and commissions, many citizens don’t know how to make ends meet.

Things became more peaceful towards the end of the program when Bärbel Bas asked interior designer Katharina Rebstock if she had any concrete suggestions on how small and medium-sized companies could feel relieved and supported. Answer from the company boss from Baden-Württemberg: No short-term “firefighting campaign”:

It remains to be seen whether politicians listen on Tuesday night and take action in the many committees and commissions in Parliament.