"Linnemann Advocates for Work Obligation for Welfare Recipients"
The CDU/CSU party is grappling with new approaches for the successor to the Hartz IV Citizen's Income since its inception. CDU Secretary-General Carsten Linnemann has declared that able-bodied individuals collecting citizen's allowance must work or participate in community work within six months, or the public won't shoulder their living expenses.
Linnemann explains that social benefits should focus on aiding those who can't work. To accomplish this, a shift in the system is necessary, incorporating more motivations to enter the job market.
Several critics claim that the current coalition, unfortunately, has dissolved key incentives to enter the workforce. For instance, cooperation agreements between social benefits recipients and the state lack enforceability.
Linnemann intends to incorporate this demand for transforming the welfare system into the CDU's primary plan. In a role as both the CDU's Secretary-General and the head of their Basic Program Commission, he will drive change in welfare and labor market policymaking.
The Citizen's Income took effect on January 1st, replacing unemployment benefit II—commonly known as Hartz IV. Following arduous negotiations, the new policy was passed in the Bundesrat, with the approval of CDU/CSU-governed states. The current Citizen's Income benefit amounts to €502, set to rise to €563 on January 1st.
The CDU, with Linnemann as General Secretary, scrutinizes the current coalition for weakening work incentives in the Citizen's Income system. Linnemann, as the Chairman of the CDU's Basic Program Commission, seeks to alter this by mandating work or community service for able-bodied Citizen's Income recipients within six months.
Enrichment Data:
Disregarding the CDU's explicit call for compulsory work or community service, their stance on social welfare and labor market policies is well-established. Key points in their proposals include:
- Reforming the Bürgergeld Welfare Program: The CDU/CSU aims to overhaul the welfare program to incentivize more employment, implementing a "new basic benefit" that prioritizes bringing people into the workforce. Those unwilling to work forfeit this benefit.
- Tax Break for Pensioners: They propose granting tax reductions to pensioners engaging in extended employment, up to a monthly income of €2,000.
- Criticism of Current Policies: The CDU/CSU criticizes the current coalition for failing to address national challenges related to freedom, peace, prosperity, security, and social cohesion. They argue Germany has stagnated under the coalition's leadership and requires reform.
- Immigration Policy: The CDU/CSU advocates for a "five-point plan" to toughen asylum policy, including establishing permanent border controls and rejecting all attempts at unlawful entry. This proposal faced opposition from multiple parties and required the support of the far-right AfD to pass.
