A prominent member of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Philipp Amthor, has voiced support for the concept of providing social welfare benefits to asylum seekers and non-EU nationals on a loan basis. The proposal, initially put forward by two district administrators from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the state of Thuringia, suggests that recognized refugees and foreign nationals receive social support as loans rather than outright benefits.
Speaking to a German newspaper, Amthor described the idea as “worth considering” arguing it addresses questions of fairness within the welfare system. He emphasized that publicly funded social benefits represent communal payments without prior individual contribution and raising the issue of equitable distribution is legitimate.
Amthor acknowledged the proposal would raise a number of legal and practical challenges requiring careful examination. However, he expressed interest in the underlying principle, stating the focus should be on fostering integration and employment. “The goal shouldn’t be simply distributing communal resources, but creating incentives for integration and work” he commented. He stressed that the aim is to avoid a situation where individuals come to Germany intending to become long-term recipients of social assistance, advocating instead for a model that rewards integration efforts through financial mechanisms. He framed this approach as promoting justice rather than simply distributing welfare.