The CDU wants to abolish the citizens’ money in its current form, which was only introduced on January 1st. Secretary General Carsten Linnemann told the “Bild” newspaper on Monday and the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. The party wants to “anchor” the demand in the new basic program, as Linnemann emphasized. The general secretary also heads his party’s policy program commission.

“If you don’t want to work, you don’t have to do it – but then you can’t expect the general public to pay for your living expenses,” Linnemann told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung.” “More incentives for taking up jobs” are necessary. In the “Bild” interview he said: “Everyone who can work and receives social benefits must take a job after six months at the latest, otherwise work for a non-profit organization.”

Citizens’ money, the successor to Hartz IV, was introduced on January 1, 2023. The federal government has to spend more money this year than actually planned. From January, the standard rates for citizens’ benefit and social assistance are set to rise again by a good twelve percent. Single adults should receive 563 euros per month – 61 euros more than before. Adults living with partners will in future receive 506 euros instead of the previous 451 euros. In the future, young people between the ages of 15 and under 18 will receive 471 euros (previously 420). For children from the age of 7 to the age of 14, the rate increases from 348 to 390 euros. For the little ones it climbs from 318 to 357 euros.