The Green Party plans to organize a petition campaign against the proposed cuts to state financial aid meant for children, young people, and persons with disabilities. Speaking to “T-Online” on Wednesday, Green Party leader Franziska Brantner stated that the petition aims to advocate for a policy that reinforces rather than weakens, and which opens opportunities instead of closing them off. These potential cuts are expected to particularly harm women, who manage the majority of caregiving work, pushing them further toward dependence and insecurity.
The party’s appeal, titled “Strengthening Women Instead of Burdening Them” emphasizes that fundamental structural reforms are urgently required. While the ruling government’s current plans do not address existing societal structures, the Greens argue that the government is aiming to cut support in areas where it perceives less opposition. This, they warn, forces women into part-time work, dependence, and increased poverty risks. The background for this concern stems from comprehensive proposed cuts put forth by a working group involving the federal government, states, and municipalities, which were announced in mid-April.
The Greens specifically criticize proposed cuts, such as reductions in maintenance allowance (Unterhaltsvorschuss) or the shifting of the entitlement for full-day childcare for schoolchildren. Brantner argues that these measures disproportionately affect single parents, making genuine participation in society more difficult. Instead, she contends that structural changes are necessary to provide relief, security, and equal opportunities for women in both economic and political spheres.
To address these issues, the Green Party outlines several concrete demands. In the healthcare sector, they propose a solidarity fund accessible to everyone, requiring contributions not only from salaried employees but also from civil servants, self-employed individuals, and high earners. They also demand that services traditionally outside insurance coverage be financed through taxes. Furthermore, comprehensive expansion of full-day childcare is necessary, accompanied by federal financial relief for the local municipalities responsible for implementation. To support single parents, they insist on a reliable maintenance allowance. Finally, reductions in fees for psychotherapies must be prevented to ensure more therapy slots are available.
On the job market, the party advocates for strengthening fair opportunities through reliable childcare and reforms to the spousal tax splitting system, alongside free joint insurance coverage. They also wish to ensure that contribution-free insurance coverage remains available for parents with young children and those who provide caregiving. Finally, the Greens call for enforceable salary transparency and effective penalties for pay discrimination, ensuring that everyone has greater chances to earn higher wages.
