(de-news.net) – Chancellor Friedrich Merz anticipates that the reform of the Bürgergeld, as agreed upon by the coalition committee, will be enacted following parliamentary deliberations before the conclusion of the calendar year. He expects the legislative changes to take effect no later than the upcoming spring. In parallel, Merz firmly rejected assertions from trade unions and opposition parties suggesting that the proposed regulations are excessively punitive. He emphasized that no individual would face homelessness as a result of the reform. Nonetheless, he underscored the necessity of requiring active cooperation and engagement from benefit recipients as a fundamental principle of the revised framework.
The CDU/CSU and SPD have reached a consensus on implementing more stringent sanctions for individuals receiving social assistance who fail to attend scheduled appointments at Jobcenters or who refuse suitable employment opportunities. In such cases, financial support may be incrementally reduced through a phased process and, in persistent instances of non-compliance, ultimately discontinued. As part of the reform, the term “Bürgergeld” will be replaced with “Grundsicherung,” reflecting a shift in both terminology and policy orientation.
SPD Bundestag member Annika Gisela Klose, who serves as the parliamentary spokesperson for social policy, defended the proposed tightening of regulations. She affirmed that the SPD remains committed to its core social values despite the adjustments being introduced. Klose highlighted the party’s intention to pursue a balanced and proportionate reform, advocating for the establishment of high thresholds before any complete withdrawal of benefits is considered. Klose cautioned against relying solely on a limited number of written notifications—specifically, three—before initiating sanctions, arguing that such an approach would be insufficiently protective. Referring to a “strong duty of protection” owed to welfare recipients, she stressed that the revised measures are designed to address a narrowly defined subset of individuals who deliberately exploit the system.
