Basic child security is an important issue for the Greens and is intended to combat child poverty – but the coalition partner FDP does not agree with the project at all. And the Union is now even suggesting that Paus resign.
The planned basic child security is becoming the central controversial issue in the traffic light coalition. Again, it is primarily the Greens and the FDP who have become entangled in each other. Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) tried to de-escalate at the weekend, but the FDP’s outrage over the additional 5,000 government positions demanded by Paus for the project continues. She recently described the draft law as not capable of approval.
Paus rows with us Job requirement something back
The minister assumes that the criticized number of jobs will not be needed, at least in the long term. “I am sure that the total number of jobs can still be reduced through synergy effects and consistent digitalization,” Paus told the dpa news agency on Saturday. “I can understand that the number that is circulating causes discussion. These are forecasts from the Federal Employment Agency. Of course, we are looking very closely at where there are opportunities to reduce the administrative burden.”
The deputy FDP parliamentary group leader Gyde Jensen nevertheless expressed concerns and called for a thorough revision of the family minister’s plans. She told the dpa: “There is no need for a new authority that would only further bureaucratically bloat a system that, overall, is not effective.” They do not negotiate publicly about the number of bureaucratic positions. The work assignment for the family minister is clear. “So far she hasn’t complied with him.”
FDP calls for a participation package instead of cash benefits
Child poverty in Germany is not countered with more flat-rate cash benefits, “but rather with opportunities to participate,” said Jensen. But instead of discussing specific points, the Federal Minister for Family Affairs “keeps forcing the public to debate a bill that in no way combats child poverty.”
If Pause wants to dedicate herself to a meaningful task, “then I suggest that she urgently negotiates an investment program for early childhood education and the further development of quality in daycare centers throughout Germany – with her 16 country colleagues,” said Jensen.
Jensen’s party colleague Christoph Meyer had already called for a new draft law on Saturday. The current draft is “poorly crafted, not thought through and has legal gaps,” said the deputy FDP parliamentary group leader to the Germany editorial network. “I can’t imagine Parliament bowing to Lisa Paus’ schedule or her confusing demands.”
The SPD is also dissatisfied with the draft law
However, criticism does not only come from the coalition partner FDP. The SPD is also not yet convinced by Paus’ draft: “Basic child welfare is a complex social policy project with many interfaces to other social benefits,” said the deputy chairman of the SPD parliamentary group, Sönke Rix, to the dpa. The federal government underestimated this complexity. “The draft law leaves many questions unanswered,” he criticized. However, the groups are in good discussions about this. He is convinced that the problems can be solved with the will of everyone involved.
Paus once again pointed out that the aim of the project was to “significantly reduce the bureaucratic hurdles for families in our country” – so that they can more easily receive the support to which they are entitled. In recent days, the Green parliamentary group has emphasized the importance of the reform project agreed in the coalition agreement, but mostly without specifically addressing the criticism of Paus’s proposals.
Union politician Frei: Paus should think about resigning
The Union suggested that the family minister resign on Sunday. “Instead of creating even more bureaucracy, Ms. Paus should think about whether she is still the right person for this task,” said the Parliamentary Managing Director of the Union faction, Thorsten Frei, to the dpa. The constant conflict over the traffic lights is unbearable and does not help the children in need.
With the basic child security, previous benefits such as child benefit, benefits from the citizen’s benefit for children or the child allowance are to be bundled into a single benefit. According to the draft available so far, the basic child benefit includes three components: an income-independent guaranteed amount that replaces the previous child benefit, an income-dependent additional amount staggered by age group that replaces the child allowance, as well as a flat-rate school supplies package and other amounts for education and participation.
Frei said the goal of bundling services is not wrong. However, Paus “can neither reasonably explain to the citizens nor their coalition partners what their model is supposed to improve.” Instead of presenting a coherent overall concept, “she just throws around fantasy numbers,” criticized the CDU politician.