Günter Krings, the Deputy Speaker of the Union parliamentary group, has raised further demands to the federal government following the presentation of the ten-point plan aimed at combating social benefit abuse. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post,” Krings stated that while he welcomes the rollout of the action plan, social fraud is not merely an attack on the state, but fundamentally a betrayal of the taxpayer. The CDU politician noted that focus must not only be placed on cases where migrants are exploited, but equally on instances where German or foreign welfare recipients are committing fraud.
He emphasized that a comprehensive exchange of data across all relevant government agencies is overdue. Furthermore, he stressed the necessity of barring recipients of basic social security who have been convicted and are evading custody.
Krings also called for a strict policy change regarding wanted individuals. Even prior to a final conviction, he argued, people who are hiding and are sought under an arrest warrant should not continue to receive benefits unchanged. Instead, providers should ensure that these individuals can only receive their social payments in person and in consultation with judicial authorities.
A similar measure, he demanded, must be applied to deportable individuals who are evading authorities. In these cases, all state support should require personal collection at the immigration offices. He concluded by stating that those who hide from the rule of law should not be financed by the taxpayer.
