Avoid such trivialities!
The German government, under the leadership of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is proposing a significant overhaul of the welfare state, a move known as the "Herbst der Reformen" (Autumn of Reforms). This restructuring aims to address the financial unsustainability of the current system, as highlighted by Chancellor Merz on August 23.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is aligning its social policy on a monetary guarantee of the current level of social benefits, with proposed cuts totaling 6 billion euros achieved through stricter sanctions. The spending on citizen's income is set to be reduced, a move that has sparked controversy among workers who have fought for a solid welfare state with their trade unions.
One of the contentious proposals is the discussion of mandatory private additional nursing insurance. This could lead to higher contributions for nursing insurance, with a potential shift towards a nursing solidarity insurance for everyone. The SPD's welfare state reorganization program, however, is being criticised as conceptless tinkering in the systems of the current welfare state.
The SPD has sidelined Karl Lauterbach, its primary structurally thinking and expert minister, in the welfare state reorganization discussion. This decision has raised eyebrows, given Lauterbach's extensive experience in health and social policy matters.
The welfare state is perceived as a bureaucratic monster, misused by the work-shy, social parasites, and non-integrating refugees. To address this, the SPD is proposing reasonable work should be mandatory, regardless of the job seeker's training requirements.
The goal of cutting social benefits to generate significant savings for investments is unlikely to be achieved, according to critics. The mother's pension, however, is set to increase, resulting in additional annual costs of 14 billion euros from the federal budget.
It's important to note that around 200 billion euros, nearly half of the federal budget, are allocated to social security systems, including pensions, healthcare, care, and other areas. The priority of job placement over support measures for each individual may be abolished as part of the reforms.
The free development of capitalism is to be promoted with cuts in transfer payments, tax cuts for companies, deregulation, and state subsidies for new technologies. However, the CDU has rejected the increase in the contribution assessment limit to secure the financing of health costs.
Critics argue that the reforms, if implemented, could lead to a deviation from the subsidiary principle, now supporting those in need beyond what is absolutely necessary. The welfare state, they say, should provide a safety net, not a crutch.
In conclusion, the proposed reforms aim to address the financial unsustainability of Germany's welfare state while promoting the free development of capitalism. However, the debate surrounding these reforms is far from over, with many questioning their impact on the most vulnerable members of society.
