Welfare state under pressure: Kiziltepe warns of dangerous cuts!

Welfare state under pressure: Kiziltepe warns of dangerous cuts!

Berlin's Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) has sharply criticized the debate about the costs of social security systems initiated by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). She warns that questioning the welfare state endangers social cohesion. Instead of cuts, Kiziltepe is calling for investments in social security, stable pensions and the preservation of jobs in economically difficult times. Your warning: Social security must not become a plaything for party-political austerity rhetoric. Kiziltepe also calls for attention to be paid to the increasing concentration of wealth in society.

Friedrich Merz is of the opinion that social reforms are necessary to address the high costs, especially of citizens' money. He stated that the existing system is no longer sustainable and cuts are becoming inevitable. Merz argues that Germany has been living beyond its means for years.

Conflict over the 2025 federal budget

The debate about the 2025 federal budget is extremely controversial given the planned record expenditure of around 503 billion euros. Almost 52 billion euros are planned for citizens' money, which means an increase of around 5 billion euros compared to the previous year. This increase is due to increased living costs, higher rents and the tight labor market. Social spending accounts for almost 40 percent of the entire federal budget, with the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs representing the largest spending area at over 190 billion euros.

The Union is calling for savings in citizens' money and a reform of basic security. The reason for these demands is that a significant proportion of citizens' benefit recipients are considered capable of working and should therefore be more closely integrated into the labor market. CDU politicians speak of a “significant savings potential” and advocate greater differentiation between those in need and those who are able to work.

Planned savings and social risks

The federal government is planning medium-term savings in citizen's benefit and expects savings of 1.5 billion euros for 2026 and a further 3 billion euros for 2027. However, social associations warn that many recipients of citizen's benefit live below the subsistence level. Single parents and families are particularly affected by rising prices and rents. Critics emphasize that despite record spending, too little is being invested in social innovation and care.

In addition, 81.8 billion euros in new loans are planned for 2025, more than twice as much as in the previous year. This funding of the welfare state competes with other political priorities. Citizens' money, which has replaced the former Hartz IV since 2023, is viewed as critical by the Union, with reforms being discussed including stricter sanctions policies, faster reviews of assets and housing costs, and greater job placement.
Social associations urgently warn that many people's livelihoods are at risk from possible cuts in citizens' benefits and the associated savings.

Overall, the current situation in the discussion about citizens' money and social security systems shows the deep rift in the political debate about the future of the welfare state in Germany.

For more information on developments and the debate over citizens' money, visit Süddeutsche.de and buerger-geld.org.