SPD criticises FDP's move as "an idea far from reality"
The FDP wants to reduce the citizen's allowance, which meets with displeasure from coalition partner SPD. SPD spokesman Rosemann criticizes the Liberals harshly: They have not yet understood their role in the responsibility-sharing of the traffic light coalition.
Criticism from the SPD comes in response to FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr's proposal to reduce the citizen's allowance. "I think it's a bad idea to constantly cause confusion with completely unrefined ideas that have no connection to reality," said SPD parliamentary group spokesman for work and social affairs, Martin Rosemann.
"Mr. Dürr leads a government faction that has agreed to the adjustment mechanism, which rightly takes inflation into account more quickly than before," he added, referring to the new calculation bases that have been in effect since the introduction of the citizen's allowance in 2023.
Since then, the annual adjustment of the amounts has not only taken into account the general price and wage development in the country, but also current developments in certain prices, such as food or clothing. "I am not aware of any proposals from the FDP parliamentary group for a new reform of the adjustment mechanism," said Rosemann. "It would be very helpful if they finally understood their role as part of a government coalition and thus in a responsibility-sharing community!"
FDP: Inflation overestimated
FDP parliamentary group leader Dürr had previously suggested reducing the citizen's allowance and justified it with the development of inflation. "The benefit is currently 14 to 20 euros too high per month," he told the "Bild" newspaper. "My proposal would be an adjustment downwards, because the inflation was estimated higher in the last calculation than it actually developed. This would relieve the taxpayers by up to 850 million euros and also increase the employment incentives," said Dürr.
Criticism of the idea also comes from the paritarian overall association. The citizen's allowance is not a handout, but a realization of basic rights. "It is already too low today to combat poverty. Those who speak of cuts here want to increase inequality and promote social division," explained managing director Joachim Rock.
The SPD strongly disagrees with the FDP's proposal, with Rosemann stating, "It would be very helpful if they finally understood their role as part of a government coalition and thus in a responsibility-sharing community." Additionally, the SPD spokesman for work and social affairs, Martin Rosemann, mentioned, "I am not aware of any proposals from the FDP parliamentary group for a new reform of the adjustment mechanism."
