Karin Prien criticizes SPD over maintenance advance cuts

German Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has criticized the SPD for its opposition to planned cuts in state maintenance advances (Unterhaltsvorschuss) for single parents. Prien argues that the coalition had already agreed upon these savings to address the budget situation and has called on her coalition partner to demonstrate reliability and political integrity.

The proposed plan involves reducing the duration of the maintenance advance from the current age of 18 to 16. The SPD has rejected this measure, proposing instead to increase pressure on parents who fail to pay child support. SPD leader and Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated that the party will not agree to the cuts, suggesting that efforts should focus on enforcing payments from delinquent parents rather than reducing benefits for teenagers.

Prien also criticized the Finance Ministry for insufficient investment in early childhood education.