Germany Debates Stricter Bürgergeld Sanctions in Coalition Talks

CDU and SPD negotiations focus on welfare reforms targeting 'Totalverweigerer,' drawing criticism over fairness, feasibility, and societal impact.

Proposed reforms aim to impose harsher penalties, including full withdrawal of benefits, for Bürgergeld recipients who repeatedly refuse work offers.
Critics argue the focus on a small minority of 18,000 sanctioned cases misrepresents the 5.4 million recipients, half of whom cannot work due to caregiving or other reasons.
Concerns grow over the administrative burden on already strained job centers if stricter monitoring is implemented.
The debate highlights broader societal tensions, including fairness for low-income workers and the role of the welfare state.
Discussions also touch on raising the minimum wage and addressing tax evasion, reflecting diverging priorities within the coalition talks.