The prime ministers have put pressure on. There was trouble in the coalition – also because the Greens didn’t want a federal regulation at first. Now there is a compromise on the payment card for refugees.
After weeks of discussions, the traffic light groups have agreed on a draft for a nationwide legal basis for the introduction of a payment card for refugees and asylum seekers. This was announced by the Bundestag factions of the SPD, Greens and FDP. Coalition circles said that the project could now be discussed in the Bundestag next week.
The wording aid states that the payment card is a suitable means of preventing money payments to smugglers, for example. It also states that the benefit authorities can decide for themselves how much cash cardholders can withdraw within a certain period of time. This takes “individual needs and local circumstances” into account. “The regulation also enables the benefit authorities, when exercising their discretion, to take into account circumstances due to which the use of a payment card does not appear appropriate in individual cases,” the draft continues.
States had insisted on uniform federal regulations
On November 6th, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the state prime ministers agreed to introduce a payment card instead of cash payments. Among other things, the card is intended to prevent migrants from transferring money to smugglers or family and friends abroad. The Greens initially took the position – unlike the SPD and FDP – that there was no need for federal regulation of such a payment card. Each federal state is free to introduce such a card and specify the details.
On March 1st, the cabinet voted for a legislative proposal from Social Affairs Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) in order to secure the planned payment card for asylum seekers with a federal law. However, it remained unclear for a long time when the draft bill could be passed in the Bundestag – also because the Greens first wanted to have some practical questions clarified. They were satisfied with the compromise that had now been reached.
“Pocket money for school trips, the bus ticket to get to the training place, the electricity or internet connection – all of this must be guaranteed when payment cards are introduced on site,” said the deputy parliamentary group leader of the Greens, Andreas Audretsch.
The deputy chairwoman of the SPD parliamentary group, Dagmar Schmidt, emphasized that a legally secure framework had now been created that guaranteed that all necessary needs could be freely covered locally – with a card or as a cash payment. However, transfers abroad are not possible with this card. FDP parliamentary group deputy Lukas Köhler said that the states now have the opportunity to make their contribution to a “new real migration policy by eliminating one of the main pull factors for irregular immigration”.
Criticism from Pro Asyl
At Pro Asyl this argument is not considered valid. Nobody will let the payment card stop them from fleeing persecution or war, said the organization’s legal policy spokeswoman, Wiebke Judith. She criticized: “In practice, refugees will be even more marginalized in many places and restricted in even the smallest everyday decisions.”
The German Association of Cities was only partially satisfied. Managing director Helmut Dedy said it was good that there was now an agreement. However, there is still a lack of “clear regulation from the federal government as to whether and what upper limit should apply to cash payouts”. The federal states would now have to determine this, ideally as uniformly as possible.
The coalition members are not afraid that their plans will be overturned by the Federal Constitutional Court. The justification for the draft states that case law on the scope of essential benefits for people with only temporary residence rights does not conflict with this, as this does not determine the form in which benefits are granted.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
