The FDP’s idea of cutting the citizens’ allowance did not go unchallenged for long. The Chancellor’s party, the SPD, immediately rejected the proposal.
The SPD has criticized FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr’s proposal to cut citizens’ income. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to constantly create uncertainty with completely half-baked ideas that are far removed from reality,” said Martin Rosemann, the spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group for labor and social affairs, when asked.
“Mr Dürr leads a government faction that has decided on the adjustment mechanism, which rightly takes inflation into account more quickly than before,” he added, referring to new calculation bases that have been in place since the introduction of the citizen’s allowance in 2023.
SPD politician: I am not aware of any FDP proposals for reform of the calculation
Since then, the annual adjustment of the rates no longer only takes into account the general price and wage development in the country, but also current developments in certain prices, such as food or clothing. “I am not aware of any proposals for a further reform of the adjustment mechanism from the FDP parliamentary group,” said Rosemann.
“It would be very helpful if, after almost three years, we could finally settle into our role as part of a government coalition and thus in a community of responsibility!”
FDP parliamentary group leader justifies cuts idea with inflation development
FDP parliamentary group leader Dürr had previously proposed cutting the citizen’s allowance, citing inflation as the reason. The benefit is “currently 14 to 20 euros too high per month,” he told Bild. “My suggestion would be a downward adjustment, because the last calculation estimated inflation to be higher than it actually was. That would both relieve taxpayers of up to 850 million euros and increase incentives to work,” said Dürr.
The idea has also been criticized by the parity association. The citizen’s allowance is not alms, but rather the realization of basic rights. “It is already too low to combat poverty. Anyone who talks about cuts here wants to increase inequality and promotes social division,” explained General Manager Joachim Rock.
Source: Stern
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