“It’s shocking”
Many cuts planned – is the welfare state in danger?
November 8, 2023, 11:51 p.m
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There could soon be significant cuts, especially where the weaker members of society are helped. In view of this, associations are taking to the barricades and warning that what is being cut now could one day incur even greater costs.
The leading welfare associations see the welfare state in Germany at risk due to the cuts plans in the 2024 federal budget. At a rally in Berlin, they warned of massive cuts in a variety of social services and the associated lasting weakening of social cohesion. The reason is the adjustment meeting of the Bundestag Budget Committee next week, in which the final version of the budget plan will be determined.
The Workers’ Welfare Association (AWO), the German Caritas Association (DCV), the German Red Cross (DRK), Diakonie Deutschland, the Paritätische Gesamtverband and the Central Welfare Office of Jews in Germany (ZWST) are involved in the protest.
Cuts in psychosocial centers, voluntary services, migration advice for immigrants, asylum procedure advice and programs for the digitalization of welfare care are denounced. “It is shocking that, at a time of growing social division, the federal government is cutting back on structures that help people in poverty and precarious living situations,” criticized the chairman of the Joint Association, Rolf Rosenbrock.
“If you cut today, you’ll pay more tomorrow”
Diakonie President Ulrich Lilie called for more support for voluntary services instead of the planned cuts. “Anyone who cuts here today will pay more tomorrow,” he pointed out. Canceling migration advice centers “at a time of increasing immigration is simply irresponsible,” explained DRK President Gerda Hasselfeldt. “The draft federal budget means painful cuts for many of our facilities and services, including closure,” warned AWO President Michael Groß.
Caritas President Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa fears that the lack of digitalization will weaken social services. Next Thursday, the Bundestag’s Budget Committee will finally discuss changes to Finance Minister Christian Lindner’s budget proposal. In the past few days there has also been clear criticism from the SPD and the Greens about its strict adherence to the current debt brake. The federal budget for the coming year is to be approved by the Bundestag on December 1st.