Migration - Discussion in Berlin: Criticism of contactless payment is increasing
According to the ruling of the Hamburg Social Court regarding the spending limit on debit cards for asylum applicants, the discussion in Berlin about this issue is gaining momentum once again. The SPD faction is expressing significant criticism: The question is open as to whether there are even factual reasons for the introduction, stated SPD deputy Jan Lehmann. "The debit card is senseless symbol politics. The integration of refugees is a great challenge that does not become smaller by making their lives unnecessarily harder", he warned.
"The CDU has jumped on populist nonsense"
"This doesn't hold anyone back from the beginning of their flight." Lehmann is addressing his coalition partners sharply: "Unfortunately, the CDU in Berlin has also jumped on this now proven populist nonsense."
SPD parliamentarian sees concerns confirmed
His parliamentary colleague Orkan Özdemir sees it similarly: "It turns out that our initial concerns from the Hamburg Social Court have been confirmed", he explained. "I assume that further lawsuits in other federal states will follow and that they will also be confirmed in higher courts. It raises the question whether a debit card, considering the cost-benefit assessment, makes any sense at all."
Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) called the Hamburg Social Court ruling groundbreaking. "I am happy for the refugee family about this decision. A flat rate spending limit of 50 Euros per person, according to the Hamburg Social Court, is not valid", she said. The SPD politician, however, also pointed to the possible practical consequences of the decision: "The demand for individual case examinations, which the court rightly demands, poses a nearly insoluble challenge for the administration."
Left criticizes populist slogans
Left faction leader Anne Helm shares the criticism of the debit card: "Berlin cannot afford to spend millions annually to demoralize and mistreat refugees", she said. "Instead of giving in to the populist slogans from the right about supposed push factors, the Senate should muster the courage to oppose them."
Even within the Senate itself, assessments of the debit card differ: Berlin's CDU leader and Mayor Michael Müller has been advocating for it for a long time. Kiziltepe has criticized this on several occasions and has rejected a rigid spending limit for debit card payments.
Senate Chancellery: Procurement procedures are ongoing
The Senate Chancellery refused to comment on the Hamburg Social Court ruling. "The Minister-Presidents' Conference spoke out for the introduction of the debit card with a spending limit of 50 Euros per adult on June 20", reported Senate spokeswoman Christine Richter to dpa on inquiry. "It is important to the Regierender Bürgermeister Kai Wegner that there is a uniform solution at the federal level and no patchwork."
Judge pointed out that the introduction of the card has been delayed in any case: The originally planned issuance of supplements for the middle of July in the procurement procedure for the payment card was not possible due to review applications before the Baden-Württemberg Procurement Court. "Therefore, the procedure cannot be completed yet." The service provider for introducing the payment card has not been determined yet. When the Procurement Court will make a decision is currently not foreseeable.
- The SPD in Hamburg's Social Court has questioned the necessity of the debit card limit for asylum seekers, echoing the criticisms of SPD deputy Jan Lehmann.
- The SPD faction in Berlin is concerned that the CDU's support for the debit card could hinder the integration of refugees, leading to unnecessary hardships.
- SPD parliamentarian Orkan Özdemir echoes these concerns, suggesting that further lawsuits in other federal states might confirm the Hamburg Social Court's ruling.
- SPD Senator Cansel Kiziltepe applauded the Hamburg Social Court's decision, but also warned of the administrative challenges posed by individual case examinations.
- The Left faction, led by Anne Helm, criticizes the debit card as a waste of resources, urging Berlin's Senate to oppose populist slogans and treat refugees fairly.
- Within the Berlin Senate, there is disagreement over the debit card, with CDU leader Michael Müller advocating for the card, while SPD member Kiziltepe opposes a rigid spending limit.
- The Senate Chancellery has remained silent on the Hamburg Social Court ruling, citing ongoing procurement procedures for the debit card and the need for a uniform solution at the federal level.
