In a strongly worded reaction, the SPD parliamentary faction has condemned the announcement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, to critically review funding in the social and communal sectors.
According to Dagmar Schmidt, the SPD’s deputy faction leader, it is unacceptable for Merz to pit vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities and children in difficult life situations, against the general public. Schmidt criticized the Chancellor’s plan to conduct a comprehensive review of social welfare spending, citing the example of the significant annual growth rates of up to 10 percent in youth and integration services.
The SPD’s stance is that the social welfare system should be strengthened, not dismantled. Schmidt emphasized that the social welfare system is not a cost factor to be cut in accordance with budget constraints, but rather a vital component of the social fabric. She called on Merz to focus on improving support for families, promoting prevention and ensuring a solid financial foundation for the social sector, rather than simply questioning funding allocations.
Merz’s approach, Schmidt argued, demonstrates a lack of understanding of the social challenges of our time, as it solely focuses on the potential for cost savings, rather than addressing the real needs of the most vulnerable in society.