Fears of bureaucratic chaos: New basic security threatens!

Fears of bureaucratic chaos: New basic security threatens!

In a significant step, CSU leader Markus Söder announced the abolition of citizens' money at the beginning of October. The government under Friedrich Merz (CDU) is aiming to establish a new basic security system that is due to come into force on January 1, 2026 Mercury reported. Bärbel Bas (SPD) is named as the person responsible for implementing the reform.

However, the upcoming reform also brings with it challenges. Local politicians are already raising concerns that the new regulations could lead to massive bureaucratization. Siegurd Heinze, chairman of the Brandenburg district council, warns of a “bureaucratic monster”. Critics fear that the new regulation will provide more room for lawsuits. These concerns are shared by various cities and counties, which face higher costs and additional administrative work.

The innovations in detail

The newly introduced basic security benefit is expected to be accompanied by tougher benefit cuts. In comparison to citizens' money, according to a first draft, there should be sanctions for failure to show up for appointments at the job center, which can amount to up to 100% of the benefit. These tightening measures could conflict with the fundamental right to a humane minimum subsistence level. In particular, the introduction of an obligation for parents to work from the child's first year of life is causing controversy.

There will also be a uniform reduction of 30% of the standard requirement for breaches of duty, which will steer the entire development in a very strict direction. The abolition of the one-year asset waiting period also brings with it changes that could hit affected families particularly hard. The new allowances will be staggered according to age. Housing costs will also be capped in the future to prevent excessive rents.

The impact on benefit recipients

Ulli Schäfer (CDU), district administrator of Greiz, has already criticized: He shows concerns about how recipients of citizens' benefit will deal with the new requirements, especially with regard to compliance with contracts. These could lead to further lawsuits and a backlog of cases. Dennis Rehbein (CDU), Mayor of Hagen, sees the introduction of a requirement to talk as positive, as it could promote increased contact between job centers and benefit recipients.

Note: The citizen's benefit rate will not be adjusted to inflation this year, which is referred to as a zero round. With the reform, Friedrich Merz aims to save five billion euros and at the same time create incentives to work. This reform will be discussed extensively not only in the political landscape, but also in society, as it deeply affects the lives of many people.