The Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany is aiming to reduce the number of individuals supplementing their basic income support (“Bürgergeld”) through a series of planned social reforms. According to SPD parliamentary group manager Dirk Wiese, a key focus will be the creation of more employment opportunities subject to social security contributions, thereby lessening reliance on government transfers.
Wiese indicated that increasing the number of people in work, rather than relying on top-up payments, could yield savings within the federal budget allocated to the “Bürgergeld” program. He also asserted that the state should not support practices that drive down wages, emphasizing a need to incentivize quality employment.
However, Wiese was keen to clarify that despite acknowledging the need for reform, the social welfare system should not be viewed solely as a source of cost savings. He stressed its importance as a foundational pillar of Germany’s social market economy.
The SPD’s Social Welfare Commission is expected to present concrete reform proposals as early as December. The party intends to approach these proposals with an open mind, but without fundamentally dismantling the existing social safety net.
