The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), leading in opinion polls ahead of Germany’s upcoming elections on 23 February, have proposed significant changes to social benefits. This includes plans to reduce welfare aid for Ukrainian refugees and address Germany’s 5.5 million long-term unemployed by implementing stricter employment measures.
One controversial proposal involves limiting unemployment benefits for Ukrainian refugees. The CDU/CSU is questioning whether Ukrainians should continue receiving the standard unemployment benefit (‘Bürgergeld’), which is higher than the refugee-specific benefits.
Under an EU Council Directive on temporary protection for displaced persons, Ukrainian refugees arriving in Germany after the outbreak of the war were granted temporary residence status and entitled to full social benefits. This includes up to 563 euros per month in unemployment benefits, coverage for rent and heating costs, and additional allowances for children, depending on their age. Currently, Germany is hosting 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, including 530,000 work-eligible individuals and approximately 360,000 children.
Stephan Stracke, the CDU/CSU’s social policy spokesman, emphasized that while Germany must provide protection to those fleeing “war and violence”, this does not equate to granting them benefits equal to those of German citizens. Stracke proposed that newly arrived Ukrainian refugees should instead receive standard asylum seeker benefits, which amount to 460 euros per month.
This policy shift aligns with broader plans by the CDU to overhaul the welfare system, including introducing tougher sanctions for individuals who refuse to work and increasing mandatory engagements with authorities.
Germany faces challenges in integrating Ukrainian refugees into its labor market, especially when compared to other European countries. A study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) revealed that as of March 2023, only 27% of Ukrainians in Germany had secured employment. In contrast, 57% of Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania and 53% in Denmark have found jobs.
Stracke argued that the generous benefits offered in Germany might deter some refugees from seeking employment. He added, “Other European countries are doing much better. That’s why Germany needs to emphasize the principle of ‘support and demand’, encouraging more refugees to enter the workforce.”
The CDU’s stance on refugee welfare reflects a longstanding conservative policy approach. In 2022, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who is widely expected to lead Germany’s next government, sparked debate by referring to “social tourism” among Ukrainian refugees. He claimed that some refugees were traveling between Germany and Ukraine to access benefits.
The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) has similarly argued that high welfare payouts contribute to the growing number of refugees reliant on state aid.
