Parties - SPD chairwoman on the payment card: will be a compromise
Berlin's new SPD chairwoman Nicola Böcker-Giannini advocates for a compromise solution in the introduction of a payment card for asylum seekers in Berlin. The CDU and SPD are currently far apart on this issue. "In the end, it will be a compromise that both will have to make moves towards, that's how it is in politics. We, as Berlin, are not the only federal state that still has dialogue needs within a coalition," said the SPD politician to the German Press Agency.
At the Minister Presidents' Conference about a week ago, the state leaders agreed to limit the cash withdrawal amount on the planned payment card to 50 Euros monthly. Berlin's governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) agreed to this and thus provoked the opposition of Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD), who had previously clearly spoken out against it.
Böcker-Giannini pointed out that the Senate had already decided in its resolution on this matter at the end of January on further proceedings. "The social administration will now make a proposal on how the criteria and regulations for the payment card could look," she said. The resolution explicitly states that the Senate will pass the necessary regulations for the cash withdrawal amounts "on proposal of the responsible Senatsverwaltung."
"It's about getting the best possible solution for the people this affects now. And it's about finding a sensible way to do it. The solution will then certainly be a compromise that both can live with," so the SPD chairwoman.
The SPD passed a resolution on the payment card at their party conference in May, where Böcker-Giannini was elected together with the Neukölln District Mayor Martin Hikel as the new state chair. In this resolution, it says: "The SPD Berlin confirms its rejection of the concept of a discriminatory payment card for asylum seekers in Germany." They are entitled to inalienable benefits according to the Asylseekers Benefits Act in Germany.
"We call on SPD members of the Berlin House of Representatives and the Senate to oppose the introduction of such a payment card for asylum seekers," it says in the text of the motion. "Should it come to the introduction of a payment card despite these efforts, clear criteria for the introduction of a payment card in Berlin must be established, so that it remains as discrimination-free as possible."
This still holds true for the chairwoman. "We have a party conference resolution, which I represent as state chair," she said. "But now it's the Senate's turn to deal with it. And the social administration will prepare and then discuss with the Senate Chancellery."
Senate spokeswoman Christine Richter announced on Tuesday after the Senate session that further talks would be held.
SPD resolution on the payment card
- The German Press Agency reported on Berlin's SPD chairwoman, Nicola Böcker-Giannini, advocating for a compromise on the introduction of a payment card for asylum seekers in Berlin, as both the CDU and SPD have different views on the matter.
- At the Minister Presidents' Conference, Berlin's governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) agreed to limit the cash withdrawal amount to 50 Euros monthly, which was opposed by Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD).
- Böcker-Giannini mentioned that the Senate had already decided on further proceedings regarding the payment card in their resolution at the end of January.
- She stated that the social administration will now propose the criteria and regulations for the payment card to ensure it remains discrimination-free, as per the Senate's resolution.
- The SPD, at their party conference in May, passed a resolution rejecting the concept of a discriminatory payment card for asylum seekers in Germany, entitling them to inalienable benefits according to the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.
- Senate spokeswoman Christine Richter announced further talks on the matter after the Senate session, as the resolution still holds true for the SPD chairwoman.
