Before the Bundestag vote on Thursday, Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) defended the proposed citizen’s‑money reform. “The result is a good reform that helps people who need support and requires more participation” she told the “Rheinische Post”. The reform, she said, is socially just and economically sensible, and it will close a major government project within its first year. With the new basic security the government aims to promote, qualify, and reintegrate people into work. She added that the team has found practical and legal solutions for the necessary adjustments.
CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann also welcomed the changes. In an interview, he said the new basic security will bring greater fairness to the social system and increase its acceptance. “People who need help will receive it” he noted, “but those who can work yet repeatedly miss deadlines or refuse suitable work will no longer receive benefits”. Linnemann argued that this policy will strengthen personal responsibility, promote self‑reliance, and protect the system from abuse.
In contrast, Michaela Engelmeier, chair of the German Social Union (SoVD), criticized the planned modifications. She warned that the new basic security will prioritize control and sanctions at the expense of support, especially for older job seekers. “Anyone who argues that the wrong people should not be affected overlooks the 1.8 million children and youths who feel every cut in their parents’ income immediately” she said. Engelmeier noted that the coalition agreement had pledged to preserve the social safety net, but she believes that goal will not be met under the citizen’s‑money reform.
