Status: 11/10/2022 11:48 am
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 approve the law, and the Union is threatening to block it.
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.
Union threatens blockade
The Union has threatened to block citizen’s income there because it believes it reduces motivation to take up work. After the debate in the Bundestag on Thursday, 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.
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. 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.