Proposal to Expand EU Membership Countries
In a significant shift, the citizens' basic income replaced the Hartz-4 system on January 1, 2023. However, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) under the leadership of Frank Wagner, General Secretary of CDU Saar, has expressed concern about the current system deviating from the principles of the tax-financed welfare state.
Wagner, a staunch advocate for reform, emphasises the principle, "Those who can work should also work!" as a key for permanent support for the unemployed. He proposes a systemic change in the citizens' basic income, suggesting a duty to perform for those who are healthy and can work.
The CDU's stance on the reform of the citizens' basic income includes an emphasis on the obligation for healthy individuals to work or participate in integration measures. This reflects a broader CDU/CSU approach that stresses responsibility and labour market integration as core elements of the social welfare system.
Sven Schulze, a CDU economic affairs minister, has expressed caution about some proposed labour-related laws but supports reforms that reinforce an expectation that healthy recipients should contribute through work or active job-seeking.
The party also expresses concern about the state's performance capability being endangered by the current citizens' basic income. They argue that it creates wrong incentives and further expands the welfare state.
To address this issue, the CDU advocates for a citizens' basic income reform that includes a clear obligation for healthy individuals to work or participate in integration measures, coupled with tightened sanctions to enforce compliance with these obligations. While the coalition as a whole is aiming to save significant amounts (up to €4.5 billion eventually) through this reform, initial steps include stricter penalties for those who do not meet their obligations, such as missing appointments or not engaging in work or reintegration activities.
Frank Wagner has announced that he will review and revise the citizens' basic income if the CDU participates in the federal government from 2025 onwards. However, the exact changes that will be made under his proposed revision remain unspecified.
Carsten Linnemann, the General Secretary of CDU Germany, also wants to address the issue of citizens' basic income in the next federal government participation of the CDU. Various relaxations, including in the sanctions regime for people who refuse a job assigned by the job center while unemployed, are a result of the citizens' basic income.
The CDU's stance on the citizens' basic income is consistent with their call for reform. The party aims to ensure that the social welfare system encourages and supports work, fostering a culture of responsibility and labour market integration.
- The CDU, under the leadership of Frank Wagner, has advocated for a shift in the citizens' basic income policy, proposing a duty for healthy individuals to work or participate in integration measures, aiming to encourage work and foster a culture of responsibility.
- In line with this, Sven Schulze, a CDU economic affairs minister, has supported reforms that reinforce the expectation for healthy recipients to contribute through work or active job-seeking, while exercising caution about some proposed labor-related laws.
- The party has expressed concern about the current citizens' basic income, arguing that it creates wrong incentives and expands the welfare state, endangering the state's performance capability.
- The CDU's proposed reform of the citizens' basic income includes a clear obligation for healthy individuals, coupled with tightened sanctions to enforce compliance with these obligations, with the aim of saving significant amounts and fostering a culture of work and labor market integration.
