Status: 10.11.2022 12:18 p.m
The Bundestag has voted with the majority of the traffic light coalition for the introduction of citizen income. It is to replace the Hartz IV benefits in 2023. The Federal Council still has to agree, the Union is threatening a blockade.
The Bundestag has launched the citizens’ allowance planned by the traffic light coalition. SPD, Greens and FDP voted with their majority for the law. In a roll-call vote, 385 MEPs voted in favor and 261 against. There were 33 abstentions.
Citizens’ income is to gradually replace the current Hartz IV system at the turn of the year. However, this still requires approval in the Bundesrat, which is expected to decide on Monday.
Bundestag votes with a majority of the traffic light coalition for the introduction of a citizens’ allowance
Kirsten Girschick, ARD Berlin, daily news at 12:00 p.m., November 10, 2022
Union threatens blockade
The Union has threatened to block citizen’s income there because it believes it reduces motivation to take up work. She also rejects the planned increase in the so-called protective assets. The needy do not have to touch this financial reserve if they want to receive citizen benefits.
Union deputy faction leader Hermann Gröhe spoke in the Bundestag of a central flaw in the reform. A family of four can have 150,000 euros and still get citizen money, said Gröhe. The coalition is thus endangering the chances of finding a job.
Federal Minister of Labor Heil campaigns for approval
After the debate in the Bundestag, Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) campaigned for approval in the state chamber. “If that doesn’t work, there is still a chance, namely the possibility of getting results in a speedy mediation process.
“But you have to be ready by the end of November at the latest so that the citizen’s income can come into force on January 1st. The mediation process means a search for compromise in the joint mediation committee of the Bundestag and Bundesrat.
Standard rate increases to 502 euros
The traffic light plans for citizen income provide for an increase in the current standard rate of 449 euros for single people to 502 euros. For adults under 25 who still live with their parents, the amount will increase to 402 euros, for young people between 14 and 18 it will be 420 euros in future, and for children from six to 14 it will be 348 euros. For children under the age of six it is 318 euros.
In future, the unemployed should also be put under less pressure by threatened withdrawal of benefits (sanctions) and instead receive more support with further training measures. In addition, the requirements for the permitted amount of assets and the size of the apartment for benefit recipients are to be relaxed.
“Pro Asyl” also demands citizen benefits for asylum seekers
In October, 5.33 million adults and children were entitled to Hartz IV payments. This includes refugees from Ukraine, but not asylum seekers. A provision that has now been included in the citizen’s income, which in turn is criticized by the organization “Pro Asyl” and the state refugee councils. They demand that refugees and asylum seekers be included in the new law on citizen income.