Status: 31.10.2022 4:17 am
SPD chair Esken has signaled a willingness to compromise on the detailed issues in the dispute over the planned citizens’ allowance. She sharply criticized the Union’s threats to block the planned project in the Federal Council.
In the dispute over the planned citizens’ income, the SPD leader Saskia Esken has signaled a willingness to talk. “If the federal states led by the Union want to clarify detailed questions about citizen income, we are ready to do so,” she told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
It is clear that the introduction is primarily about respect, which is not up for negotiation. “It’s not just about offsetting inflation, it’s about the respect that people in need deserve and sustainable ways to overcome that need.”
Criticism of blockade threat
In addition to compensating for inflation, ways to sustainably overcome the plight of people would have to be opened up, she explained. According to the Funke newspapers, Esken sharply criticized CDU General Secretary Mario Czaja’s threat to block the reform of citizen income in the Bundesrat: “Blocking is not an attitude for a responsible opposition.”
According to the plans of the traffic light coalition, the basic income should replace the previous Hartz IV system at the turn of the year. Higher standard rates, fewer sanctions and significantly higher protective assets are planned.
The CDU had threatened to block the law introducing citizen income, which required approval, in the Bundesrat. CDU General Secretary Mario Czaja told the “Tagesspiegel” that the plans would not be approved in their current form. Czaja particularly criticized the higher protective assets.
Time could be short
There has been a long-standing dispute in the ongoing legislative process. It is therefore unclear whether the traffic light can push through the reform as planned. In the Bundesrat, she is dependent on votes from the camp of the Union countries. A blockade could also affect the already tight schedule. January 1st is planned for the start.
Citizens’ income is intended to replace the previous Hartz IV basic security. The aim of the traffic light coalition is to put those affected in a position to be able to concentrate more on further training and looking for work. They should be put under less pressure by the job center.
There is a problem with citizen money – the Union wants changes
Kai Clement, ARD Berlin, 30.10.2022 09:42 a.m