The concept is to be discussed at the weekend. According to Linke leader Janine Wissler, the issue could no longer be “put on the back burner.”
Up to 681 euros a month for children and young people in poverty: The leaders of the Left have drafted their own concept for basic child security. The central points are a higher child benefit of 328 euros per month, regardless of income.
In addition, there would be surcharges of 219 to 353 euros for children in families with little money, depending on their age. The costs would be around 26 billion euros. The concept that the Left Board is to decide this weekend is available to the German Press Agency.
Wissler: Wrong traffic light priorities
Services and costs would be significantly higher than the plans of Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens). In principle, Paus also envisages child benefit for everyone from 2025 – currently 250 euros per child and month – and supplements for boys and girls from poor families. She estimates the expenditure at twelve billion euros. Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) considers this to be too much.
“The traffic light sets the wrong priorities,” complained Linken boss Janine Wissler. “While huge sums are being poured into armaments, basic child security is being put on the back burner – that’s undignified.” Its co-chairman, Martin Schirdewan, said that “financing real basic child security is not an insoluble problem, but simply a question of political priorities.”
2.9 million children in poverty
In terms of benefits, the left proposes two other pillars in addition to child benefit for all and the supplements for the poor: the actual living and heating costs should be financed, as well as costs for special occasions, such as school trips or festivals such as confirmation or youth initiation. The Left assumes that there are 2.9 million children and young people in poverty.
For financing, the application refers to the classic demands of the left, including a wealth tax and a property levy. The debt brake in the Basic Law should be abolished and until then an exception should be used for the time being. In addition, “we want to rededicate unnecessary expenditure and eliminate harmful subsidies, such as the black hole in the German armed forces,” the motion continues.
Source: Stern
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