She has also criticized Merz’s federal reform drive as punishing hard-working people, even though her own party has enabled it nationally, pushing back against one proposal in particular from the coalition to curtail early retirement for people who have worked 45 years.

“Reforms, yes, but they must be fair, and they must also be reasonable,” Schwesig told the crowd at her campaign event in Rostock. “What we currently have on the table regarding pensions, long-term care, and health care — we are not satisfied with this, and it is our duty to represent the interests of the people here.”

The message clearly resonated with many people in the crowd, particularly in a time of rising prices and slow growth. Following her talk in Rostock, supporters approached Schwesig to ask her about their financial worries. A school social worker asked whether funding for her job would be guaranteed. A university student asked whether state money to cover living costs during his studies would be cut.

For Kroh, the former elder caregiver, Schwesig’s criticisms of Merz and the government were absolutely justified.

Schwesig, she said, recognized people’s struggles.

“Merz,” she added, “just doesn’t have a heart for the vulnerable.”