The head of the Mittelstand und Wirtschaftsunion, Gitta Connemann of the CDU, has expressed the belief that further savings can be achieved beyond the €1.5 billion identified by the governing coalition in the draft budget for 2026 concerning the Bürgergeld (social welfare benefits).
Connemann, in statements to RTL and n-tv, suggested that increased efficiency and a heightened commitment to reducing expenditure could unlock additional savings, particularly within the Bürgergeld system. She referenced a recent study by the Ifo Institute, which estimates potential savings of up to €4.5 billion through system optimization.
Connemann emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to achieve these savings, a sentiment she stated is shared across the governing coalition. She warned that failure to deliver on savings targets could lead to escalating costs and pose challenges related to fairness and equity.
Highlighting a consensus around supporting those genuinely in need, Connemann advocated for a focus on integrating individuals capable of working back into the labor market. She pointed out that even a modest increase in Bürgergeld recipients participating in work-related activities – specifically citing the potential impact of integrating 100,000 recipients – could yield savings of up to €2 billion.