Alterations to the Ukrainian Civil Aid Program proposed by Kretschmer - Proposal for a Chemical Safety Directive for Workers' Protection is a request made to the Commission.
In a significant development, Michael Kretschmer, the Minister-President of Saxony, and Markus Söder, the head of government in Bavaria, have advocated for changes to the social welfare system for Ukrainian refugees.
During an interview on ZDF-Morgenmagazin, Kretschmer expressed concern about the distribution of citizen's allowance funds, citing examples of unnecessary payments. He did not specify the exact changes he proposes, but his comments indicate a potential shift in government policy.
Kretschmer specifically mentioned Ukrainian refugees, stating that the proportion of working individuals among them is significantly higher in other countries like France, the Netherlands, Poland, and the Czech Republic compared to Germany. He believes that this amount is too high and needs to be reduced.
The proposed changes would shift Ukrainian refugees arriving from April 1, 2025, from receiving the Citizen's Allowance (Bürgergeld) to benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act. This change aims to reduce social welfare costs related to new arrivals from Ukraine.
Under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, the monthly benefits are approximately 100 euros less per person compared to the Citizen's Allowance. The current Citizen's Allowance stands at about 563 euros monthly, while the support under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act is around 441 euros.
Markus Söder has also advocated for a tougher approach, suggesting that all Ukrainian refugees—not only new arrivals—should receive lower benefit payments. This reflects broader government efforts, led by Social Minister Bärbel Bas and supported by these politicians, to lower expenditures amid concerns about welfare spending and refugee support capacity.
The ongoing refugee crisis, particularly concerning Ukrainian refugees, is the context in which these statements are being made. As of mid-2025, there are about 1.25 million Ukrainian refugees in Germany, with ongoing discussions about reducing support to contain welfare budgets while managing refugee integration challenges.
The government's reasoning includes expected federal savings of over one billion euros, although the net savings may be limited because additional costs under the asylum benefits system impact regional governments, which the federal government proposes to compensate.
Kretschmer made these comments in Dresden, the capital city of Saxony, adding to the growing debate about the appropriate level of social welfare for refugees in Germany. The comments by both Kretschmer and Söder suggest a possible reevaluation of the current social welfare policies for refugees in Germany.
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- The Minister-President of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, and Markus Söder, head of government in Bavaria, are advocating for changes in policy-and-legislation concerning the European Union, specifically the social welfare system for Ukrainian refugees, as part of broader government efforts in politics to lower expenditures.
- The proposed changes could result in Ukrainian refugees, starting from April 1, 2025, receiving benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act instead of the Citizen's Allowance (Bürgergeld), aiming to reduce social welfare costs related to new arrivals from Ukraine, while ongoing general-news discussions about the refugee crisis and budgets continue in Germany.
