The Left party has voiced strong criticism of Federal Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) regarding planned freezes to social welfare payments next year Party leader Jan van Aken accused Bas of implementing policies that prioritize austerity for low-income citizens while benefitting the wealthy, in comments published by the “Rheinische Post” newspaper
Van Aken further stated that Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has argued the government can no longer afford current levels of social spending, alleging the SPD is acquiescing by maintaining Bürgergeld benefits at what he described as an already inadequate level He countered that the country could not afford the influence of billionaires and their impact on political decision-making
The Left party leader criticized what he characterized as substantial tax benefits allocated to wealthy individuals and corporations, alongside significant investment in military buildup He questioned the justification for claiming cuts to social welfare programs are unavoidable, suggesting the public will not accept this rationale