German CDU Economic Council calls for Bürgergeld cuts

The CDU Economic Council is urging the SPD to reduce monthly Bürgergeld (citizen's benefit) rates, arguing that current levels are too high. This demand follows a confidential federal government study suggesting that standard rates for adults and children exceed necessary amounts, resulting in millions in excess costs for taxpayers.

Wolfgang Steiger, Secretary General of the CDU Economic Council, stated that many workers perceive the small wage gap between low-income earners and benefit recipients as unjust. He suggested that cutting the benefits would allow the SPD to prove it supports workers rather than just benefit recipients.

Former SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel has also criticized the social policy, describing the introduction of Bürgergeld under former Labor Minister Hubertus Heil as a “coffin nail” for the SPD. Gabriel argued that the regulation primarily benefited those not working, which alienated low-income workers. These debates occur as the SPD prepares for leadership elections in January.