Thuringia's SPD is planning asylum benefits as an interest-free loan - controversial!

Thuringia's SPD is planning asylum benefits as an interest-free loan - controversial!

In the last few days, the Thuringian SPD has made a remarkable advance into the public discussion. The proposal is that social benefits for migrants should be given as “interest-free loans”. Who is affected by this? Adult asylum seekers, recognized refugees and foreigners from non-EU countries. World reports that this proposal is supported by district administrators Matthias Jendricke and Marko Wolfram. The CDU politician Philipp Amthor is impressed by the idea and speaks of a “certain charm” and questions of justice that need to be clarified.

However, there is also resistance to this plan. The SPD's migration policy spokeswoman, Rasha Nasr, describes the proposal as incompatible with the fundamental right to a dignified minimum subsistence level. The AfD is also involved and wants citizen's benefit for foreigners to only be paid after ten years of employment that secures a living wage. On the other hand, Clara Bünger from the Left Party sharply criticizes the SPD district administrators and considers their proposal to be legally incompetent.

Social context and reactions

Associations and organizations such as Pro Asyl and the German Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband firmly reject the proposal and emphasize that social benefits are a human right. Migration researcher Yuliya Kosyakova even considers the idea to be unconstitutional. Jendricke also emphasizes that repayments should only be due if employment is completed quickly and is subject to social insurance contributions. A complex web of opinions and legal considerations that clearly shows how sensitive the issue of social justice is in relation to migrants.

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