Senior figures within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) have voiced concerns regarding a proposal from Markus Söder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), advocating for the cessation of basic income support for all Ukrainian refugees. The CDU’s social affairs spokesperson, Dennis Radtke, emphasized the practical challenges associated with such a retroactive measure.
Radtke, speaking to “Focus” magazine, acknowledged the recent decision to reclassify newly arriving Ukrainian individuals within the existing administrative framework as a valid step. However, he cautioned that implementing a blanket withdrawal of benefits for all Ukrainian recipients already integrated into the current system presents significant logistical hurdles. He questioned the proportionality of any potential cost savings compared to the administrative burden involved and whether such a change would genuinely facilitate their integration into the labor market.
The CDU spokesperson strongly criticized Söder’s suggestion, reflecting broader anxieties within the CDU regarding counterproductive political rhetoric surrounding migration and asylum. Radtke expressed frustration with what he described as a tendency toward sensationalist approaches within German politics, stating that it has become a regrettable pattern.
He stressed the importance of the CDU maintaining its reputation for robust, meticulously crafted policies, rather than resorting to populist solutions. Radtke underscored that this approach – characterized by thoroughness and a focus on effective governance – was instrumental in the CDU’s previous success as a leading political force in Europe.