Family policy - AfD: 10,000 euros for babies - other parliamentary groups suspicious
The AfD proposal for a "Family-Start Money" of 10,000 Euro for newborns in the Hessian parliament has been met with rejection. None of the other three factions supported the suggestion. It was referred to the health and family policy committee for further discussion after the parliamentary summer break.
AfD representative Gerhard Bärsch previously stated: "The number of births in Germany reached its lowest point in a decade in 2023. The birth rate is currently only 1.4 children per woman." The "Family-Start Money" for babies would "relieve young families noticeably and contribute to realizing child wishes and increasing the birth rate."
This regulation, which would be introduced at the federal level, would not be a supplement or social benefit, but a refund of already paid income tax, capped over a maximum of five years, according to Bärsch. It would apply to all, regardless of nationality, who work and pay taxes in the country.
CDU parliamentarian Sandra Funken called it an incomplete window-dressing proposal. This would cause billions of costs nationwide annually, without it being clear whether the additional 10,000 Euro would influence couples' decisions to have a new child.
SPD parliamentarian Nadine Gersberg said that the AfD was focusing on German families and heterosexual partnerships with this "populist and unrealistic show proposal." Mothers, in the AfD's view, should stay at home. "Women are machines for you, meant to ensure the birth rate," Gersberg emphasized.
Family Minister Diana Stolz (CDU) referred to numerous existing support programs for pregnant women and families in Hessen, from help for midwives to family centers.
The rejection of the AfD's proposition for "Family-Start Money" in the Hessian parliament did not deter Gerhard Bärsch, who continues to advocate for the initiative. He emphasizes the low German birth rate of 1.4 children per woman in 2023 and believes the proposal could alleviate financial burdens for young families, thereby encouraging more births.
Criticism of the proposal has come from the CDU's Sandra Funken, who labeled it an incomplete and costly measure. SPD parliamentarian Nadine Gersberg was even more critical, accusing the AfD of focusing solely on German families and heterosexual partnerships, implying a demeaning view of women's roles.
Amidst this debate, Family Minister Diana Stolz from the CDU highlights the extensive support programs already available in Hesse for expectant mothers and families, from aid for midwives to family centers.
In Wiesbaden, Germany, this contentious family policy issue continues to be discussed at parliament, with the CDU, SPD, and others expressing varying opinions on the "Family-Start Money" proposal. The fate of this potential financial aid for newborns remains uncertain.
Regardless of the outcome, the birth rate in Germany remains a significant concern for policymakers, with specific attention given to finding solutions that balance financial well-being and family planning.
In the broader context, these discussions in the Hessian parliament contribute to the ongoing national debate about family policy and the future of demographic trends in Germany.
