Merz calls for tough reforms: secure social benefits for the future!

Merz calls for tough reforms: secure social benefits for the future!

At the state party conference of the North Rhine-Westphalia CDU in Bonn, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said loudly Radio912 strongly emphasized the need for reforms in the social sector. Merz expressed clear criticism of the current system of social benefits, especially citizens' money. He emphasizes that Germany is living beyond its means and that the existing system is no longer financially viable. According to Merz, the responsibility does not lie with the benefit recipients, but clearly with politicians.

At a time when reforms such as citizens' benefits and statutory pensions are constantly being discussed in public, the Chancellor in Bonn raises the question of how future prosperity and jobs will be secured for the young generation. “We have to make decisions that can be painful,” explains Merz and announces that the government is determined to make changes.

Need for reform in the social sector

Merz sees the reform process as a “difficult path” that should not be underestimated. The discussion about social benefits has been a hot topic for years, as has this Böckler Foundation determines. Even after 20 years of Schröder's agenda, welfare state reform remains controversial. Proponents of community benefit argue that “any work is better than no work,” but this view is often contradicted by the reality of temporary work and mini-jobs.

Comprehensive social security is essential, not only to prevent poverty, but also to ensure economic stability and social cohesion. However, the current challenge is that many people, despite being entitled to social benefits, often do not take advantage of them because insecurities and a feeling of illegitimacy prevent them from doing so.

Personal responsibility and future solutions

Merz is calling for a greater emphasis on personal responsibility as part of his reforms. Through adjustments to housing costs and rising energy prices, citizens' money, which currently only accounts for 4.2% of the social budget at 54 billion euros annually, must become more effective. After all, many full-time employees rely on social benefits because their wages are often not enough.

The issue of the subsistence minimum is also problematic because it is aimed at the 20% poorest households and thus reproduces poverty. Merz's predictions paint a picture in which not only the pension level needs to be stabilized, but the question of childcare places in daycare centers also plays an essential role. The need for 600 billion euros in additional public investment is becoming essential to make Germany future-proof and to meet the social policy challenges.

The inclusion of these various facets shows that the fundamental considerations for reforms in the welfare state are not only gaining in importance in Bonn, but will also have long-term effects on society throughout Germany. Merz's determination could be the beginning of far-reaching changes, which are all the more urgent given the current socio-economic challenges.