Yes, it changed the name to "Mindestspeicherfrist" - "minimum storage time"...
Yes. Privacy policies are absolutely a top consideration for most voters.
Definitely not jobs, minimum wage or the perilous state of the EU countries.
Well privacy policy is something people consider to be actually in the hands of politicians, while promises of job security are eyed suspiciously (rightfully). If by perilous states you mean Greece, Italy, Spain - do you really think German voters give a damn?
I think he was being sarcastic.
It seems to me like the GP got that and responded appropriately.