A prominent member of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Philipp Amthor, has indicated openness to the concept of providing social welfare support to asylum recipients and non-EU nationals on a loan basis. The suggestion, initially put forward by two district administrators from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Thuringia, proposes that recognized refugees and individuals from outside the European Union receive social benefits as loans rather than direct payments.
Amthor, who also serves as Parliamentary State Secretary in the Digital Ministry, described the idea as “worth considering” in a statement to the German newspaper “Welt”. He articulated that the proposal addresses a fundamental question of fairness, particularly concerning the financing of social welfare programs through taxpayer contributions. He noted that benefits are currently provided without prior contribution into the social security system and raising questions about fairness is valid.
While acknowledging the proposal raises “a number of legal questions and necessities for examination” Amthor expressed interest in the underlying principle. He emphasized the importance of shifting the focus beyond simply distributing community funds, towards incentivizing integration and employment. He stated that fostering integration and participation in the workforce ultimately benefits everyone and that the goal should not be to create long-term dependency on social welfare. He suggested that rewarding integration efforts through such a system would be a positive step towards achieving fairness and encouraging self-sufficiency.
