€15 minimum wage: where do Germany’s seven parties stand?
The statement in the quiz
The statutory minimum wage should rise to €15 an hour.
Background
In 2026 the minimum wage is €13.90 an hour, rising to €14.60 from January 2027. The Minimum Wage Commission, made up of employer and union representatives, recommends the rate and the government puts it into force. In principle it also applies to student jobs and minijobs.
ForLeaning forNeutral / mixedLeaning againstAgainstNot in manifesto
Party by party
CDU/CSU Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU)
Leaning against
Backs the statutory minimum wage and the independent Minimum Wage Commission, but says pay is for employers and unions to negotiate and opposes politicians setting the amount.
From the manifesto „Wir stehen zum gesetzlichen Mindestlohn und der unabhängigen Mindestlohnkommission. Lohnfindung muss weiterhin Sache der Sozialpartner sein und nicht der Politik.“
Since the election: In government, the 2025 coalition agreement says a €15 minimum wage is reachable in 2026, but still leaves the decision to the Minimum Wage Commission.
AfD Alternative for Germany
Leaning against
The manifesto names no figure; in the June 2025 Bundestag debate on a €15 proposal, one of its MPs opposed the state imposing the rate.
From the manifesto „Arbeit muss sich lohnen, aber nicht durch staatliche Zwangsvorgaben“
Positions are coded on five steps: for, leaning for, neutral or mixed, leaning against, against. A party whose manifesto says nothing on the statement is marked “not in manifesto”, and the quiz leaves the statement out of that party’s score. The coding method and its checks are on the method page.
Where do you stand on this one?
This is one of the statements in the German Party Spectrum Quiz. The whole quiz takes about five minutes and shows how your views split across the seven parties, plus your place on an economic and social map. No sign-up, and we never ask who you are.