The association VdK has strongly criticized a recent call from CDU leader Friedrich Merz to reduce spending on citizen’s allowance (Bürgergeld) by ten percent.
VdK President Verena Bentele described Merz’s proposal as populist, particularly highlighting the specificity of the proposed savings figure. She suggested that Merz should instead focus on tackling tax evasion, estimating that the state loses upwards of €100 billion annually due to this issue.
The proposal comes following an agreement within the governing coalition of the CDU and SPD to present guiding principles for a reform of the citizen’s allowance by the end of the year, aiming to increase pressure on recipients.
Bentele emphasized that the current debate disproportionately focuses on individuals who completely refuse to work, overlooking the needs of a far larger group including single parents supplementing low wages and children and young people reliant on social assistance. She also pointed to a significant number of individuals with disabilities who diligently apply for jobs but face persistent unemployment.