Thuringia’s Minister President Mario Voigt has called for the repeal of Germany’s recently implemented cannabis law, anticipating the release of a government evaluation report scheduled for Monday. Voigt, of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), asserted that the legislation was fundamentally flawed and that attempts to refine it through minor adjustments are unproductive. He stated that a comprehensive reevaluation of the law’s overall viability should be undertaken, dismissing the need for the impending evaluation as he believes the law is demonstrably ineffective.
Beyond the cannabis legislation, Voigt is also pressing the federal government to accelerate planned social reforms, specifically regarding citizen’s income (“Bürgergeld”) and pensions. He underscored the urgency of comprehensive preparation for significant social state reforms, highlighting the escalating financial burdens faced by municipalities, particularly concerning integration support mandated by the Federal Participation Act. Voigt attributed these rising costs to what he described as flawed initial assumptions by the current governing coalition. He insisted on the need for reforms across multiple areas – reduced labor costs, affordable energy and a reduction in bureaucratic processes – to be implemented by January 1st.
Regarding citizen’s income recipients and housing costs, Voigt suggested a fixed rent cap as a potential solution to address concerns about the perceived lack of transparency and fairness in housing cost reimbursements. He expressed that the current system, where job centers often establish their own upper limits, contributes to a lack of public understanding and acceptance.
Finally, Voigt addressed pension reform, indicating support for exploring a broader range of retirement savings options. He acknowledged the limitations of the state pension system and advocated for incorporating private pension schemes, company-sponsored plans and alternative approaches such as equity-linked pensions, pointing to examples from other countries that demonstrate stability through diversified retirement planning.