Germany is poised for revisions to its citizen’s allowance, known as the “Bürgergeld”, with proposals expected soon from Federal Labour Minister and SPD leader, Bärbel Bas According to Thorsten Frei, Head of the Federal Chancellery (CDU), Minister Bas will present a formal suggestion in the coming days, which will then serve as the basis for further work
Frei emphasized that the development aligns with the clear agreements outlined in the governing coalition agreement He indicated that the proposed changes aim for savings of five billion euros, a target he believes is achievable
The envisioned reforms involve replacing the current “Bürgergeld” with a basic security system, altering aspects such as qualifying periods and the criteria for reasonable demands placed on recipients Importantly, the revised system will prioritize placement assistance and incorporate further modifications Frei expressed confidence that codifying these changes into law will facilitate substantial savings
The Federal Government’s reforms must adhere to strict guidelines set forth by the Federal Constitutional Court A 2019 ruling affirmed that the right to basic security is rooted in human dignity, a principle applicable to all individuals regardless of behavior While sanctions are permissible, the court determined that reducing benefits by more than 30 percent of the standard requirement would be unconstitutional