“Attack on the welfare state”
Ampel rails against the CDU’s citizens’ money initiative
March 17, 2024, 5:13 p.m
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The CDU wants to abolish citizens’ money in the future and introduce a “new basic security”. This was accompanied by changes in sanctions and asset regulations. There is heavy criticism from the traffic light parties.
The CDU’s push for a radical reform of citizens’ money has met with sharp criticism from the SPD and the Greens. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil spoke of an “attack on the welfare state,” while Green party leader Britta Haßelmann spoke of “populism at the expense of those affected.” The CDU wants to “abolish citizens’ money in its current form” and replace it with a “new basic security”. The party executive committee is expected to decide on a corresponding concept on Monday, which also provides for the expansion of the sanction options.
“Basic security is not available to everyone, but is support for those who cannot make a living through their own work or assets,” says the draft resolution available to AFP. “The name ‘citizen’s money’ is misleading and is an expression of the political concept of an unconditional basic income.” The CDU clearly rejects this. The “traffic light” is certified as having “bad social policy”. This “supports and paralyzes” people and weakens their willingness to show solidarity.
The “vast majority of people in basic security” want to work and are trying to leave the system. “We need to better support these people who really need our help,” the CDU concept continues. “A minority that doesn’t follow the rules or takes advantage of them brings the entire system into disrepute.”
CDU wants faster sanctions
Sanctions should be enforced “quicker, simpler and less bureaucratic”. If a recipient of basic security who is able to work refuses reasonable work, in the future “it should be assumed that he is not in need – there is then no longer any entitlement to basic security”.
In addition, in the future, anyone who “repeatedly fails to show up for appointments at the job center without an objective reason will no longer receive any benefits.” The withheld benefits should only be paid out “when the conversation is resumed.”
The property regulations should also be tightened. The CDU wants to abolish the waiting period of twelve months and in future carry out an asset check from day one. The limits for so-called protected assets should be lowered. The abuse of benefits should be better combated through “a complete exchange of data between the social, financial and security authorities”.
“Never think of anything else”
SPD leader Klingbeil said in Berlin: “The Union never comes up with anything other than attacks on the welfare state.” She pits working people against people “who aren’t doing so well at the moment.” Klingbeil referred to the requirements of the Federal Constitutional Court to ensure the minimum subsistence level. There is no reason to “shake up” citizens’ money, he emphasized.
SPD parliamentary director Katja Mast told “Bild am Sonntag” that it was about “placing people in good jobs on a long-term basis.” She emphasized: “The reform is working.” There have never been more people in work subject to social insurance contributions. Nobody wants an unconditional basic income in Germany, and there isn’t one.
Anyone who refuses completely will have their money cut off. The goal is to find permanent work. “The CDU doesn’t give a single answer to that,” criticized Mast. “Instead, it cements long-term poverty for children and parents – how shabby.”
“The Union is scaremongering”
Green party leader Haßelmann explained that the CDU initiative “completely misses reality.” The major challenge for the economy, crafts and society is the great shortage of skilled workers and workers. “We have to work on this together instead of talking about how to tighten the conditions for citizens’ money,” she emphasized.
Green party leader Ricarda Lang told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: “The Union is scaremongering on the backs of the most vulnerable.” The traffic light coalition complied with the Federal Constitutional Court’s mandate to “make citizens’ money so that people’s livelihoods can be guaranteed.” This also happened with the votes of the Union. Studies also show that working continues to be worthwhile. Lang accused the Union of “frontal attacks on the welfare state”.
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann told the “Bild” newspaper on Saturday that the CDU wanted to “support those who really need help.” He added: “Anyone who can work but doesn’t go to work will no longer receive any support in the future.”