Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has dismissed calls from CSU leader Markus Söder to abolish welfare benefits, known as “Bürgergeld” for all Ukrainian refugees. Klingbeil cautioned against using the plight of those fleeing war as leverage in the ongoing budget debate.
He affirmed that new arrivals from Ukraine will no longer be included in the Bürgergeld system, aligning with existing agreements and the coalition treaty. The government is actively working on alternative support mechanisms for these individuals, which is expected to contribute to savings.
Klingbeil emphasized the importance of constructive internal discussions within the governing coalition to address the substantial budget shortfall, rather than resorting to public provocations. He stated that the budget gap requires a comprehensive approach and that all parties involved, including the CSU, share a collective responsibility to find solutions.
He declined to comment on potential tax increases, echoing Söder’s previous remarks on the matter. Klingbeil stressed the need for a holistic package of measures, urging all parties to thoroughly examine existing programs and identify areas for savings without disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations.
“It’s crucial that we don’t publicly debate individual measures” Klingbeil stated, “We need to arrive at a complete package and that includes Markus Söder. I expect him to contribute constructively and I hope we can avoid contentious public discussions, focusing instead on finding solutions collaboratively”. He further noted that the escalating tensions within the government are counterproductive to addressing this significant domestic challenge.