A proposal to introduce a universal basic endowment for all citizens has been put forward by the SPD state associations in Berlin and Thuringia, with the aim of having it included in the party’s program at the federal party conference in June.
According to the “Bild” newspaper, the proposal suggests a one-time payment of 20,000 euros for all citizens who have reached the age of 18, which would not be counted against other social benefits. The endowment is expected to increase to 60,000 euros per person in the following years.
The proposal’s justification states that a universal basic endowment could enable individuals to make independent decisions, free from the influence of their family of origin or social background, in areas such as education and training, family planning, starting a business and choosing a place of residence.
The SPD state association in Berlin is also advocating for a universal basic endowment of 20,000 euros, with the estimated annual cost to the state of around 15 billion euros. The proposal suggests financing the endowment through an increase in inheritance tax.