The proposal by Saxony-Anhalt’s incoming Minister-President, Sven Schulze of the CDU, to mandate social service for welfare recipients has drawn sharp criticism, with leading figures accusing him of fostering divisive policies and overlooking fundamental economic realities. Heidi Reichinnek, parliamentary group leader of the Left party in the Bundestag, condemned the plan as “another low point” in the ongoing debate surrounding the new basic security system.
Reichinnek directly linked Schulze’s initiative to the divisive approaches pursued under his predecessor, Reiner Haseloff, suggesting a continuation of a regressive political trend. She voiced concerns that compulsory service schemes would displace regular employment opportunities in sectors like street cleaning, green space maintenance and social care, ultimately exacerbating unemployment rather than alleviating it.
Beyond the immediate practical implications, Reichinnek questioned the effectiveness of such measures as a tool for workforce integration. “Increased compulsion does not lead to a lasting return to the regular labor market” she stated, arguing that the policy would likely force individuals into “poorly paid jobs with inadequate conditions, forcing them to abandon those roles just as quickly”. This sentiment highlighted a broader critique: Schulze’s plan ignores the core issue of a limited number of available positions.
The Left party politician insisted that the focus should shift away from identifying scapegoats and instead prioritize a proactive economic policy, substantial investments in the future and enhanced training programs for job seekers. “No one benefits when the poorest are made even worse off” she asserted, emphasizing the need for governmental action to ensure affordability for a wider segment of the population. Reichinnek’s call concluded with a demand for policies that address systemic economic inequalities, rather than punitive measures targeting vulnerable individuals.