Reform debate: Söder calls for the “fundamental update” of the welfare state

In the debate about social policy, CSU boss Markus Söder insists on “hard reforms”. “The welfare state needs a fundamental update,” said the Bavarian Prime Minister of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. “This is the only way we remain efficient and can still help those who really need help.” He confirmed his demands for savings in the citizens’ allowance and funding for heat pumps.

The black and red coalition is aiming for several laws for reforms of social systems in autumn. The debate stands against the background of the difficult economic and financial situation – and partly opposite views of the Union and SPD. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) had again made announcements for drastic social reforms at the weekend and thus strained fresh agreements for more in common in the coalition. A coalition committee is planned for Wednesday.

“The welfare state in this form is unfair,” said Söder. Germany currently spends 50 billion euros a year on citizens’ money, half of them in people without German citizenship. “Hard reforms are needed. That means: less achievements and more incentives to work.” You have to tighten the reasonability rule for job offers and need stricter rules for housing benefit and protective assets. “This can save many billions.”

The welfare state no longer affordable? SPD boss: “Bullshit”

Chancellor Merz had reaffirmed his analysis at a CDU state party conference in Bonn that the system that one has today could no longer be afforded with what was generated. “We have been living over our conditions for years,” said the CDU chairman. SPD leader and Minister of Social Affairs Bärbel Bas, on the other hand, said the debate at a Juso conference in Gelsenkirchen that we “can no longer afford this welfare state”, was “Bullshit”. However, it also emphasized the need for reforms.

The SPD also has certain tightening of the citizens’ money, as Co-party leader and Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil made clear in the ARD program “Report from Berlin”. In this way, the pressure should be raised significantly in the case of so -called total refusers and sanctions should be sharpened. Out of justice, he was expecting the expectation that you are exhausting. A stop should also be pushed up if you are caught when you work. “It is indecent when someone receives civil allowance, works black, enriched itself at the expense of the general public,” said Klingbeil.

Against the background of the discussion about reforms of the welfare state, a commission appointed by the government is now working on its work. By the end of the year, it should make suggestions for the areas of citizenship, housing benefit and child surcharge. The Ministry of Social Affairs had to be implemented from the beginning of 2026.