Berlin’s Social Senator, Cansel Kiziltepe of the SPD, has cautioned against a debate initiated by federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU regarding potential changes to Germany’s social welfare system, labeling it as possessing “social explosive potential.
Speaking to the Tagesspiegel newspaper, Senator Kiziltepe expressed significant concern regarding Mr. Merz’s assertions that the country can no longer afford its current system. She stated that the discourse is “very dangerous” and deemed the idea of curtailing social benefits while maintaining significant expenditure in other areas as “unexplainable”. Kiziltepe specifically questioned the compatibility of substantial defense spending alongside potential cuts to social provisions.
The Senator emphasized the necessity for political balance between resource allocation and social welfare. She urged Mr. Merz to consider alternative approaches, suggesting a focus on increasing revenue streams rather than reducing social support. According to Kiziltepe, closing loopholes in inheritance tax law alone could potentially generate up to €20 billion in additional revenue for the government.