Household Dispute: Union Considers Cuts in Social Benefits Unavoidable

The Union believes that cuts in social benefits are necessary in the dispute over the federal budget for 2025. They argue that the budget should prioritize investment in infrastructure, which means reducing spending on social benefits and development aid.

The lack of investment and high consumption spending in Germany has led to an investment backlog, which threatens the country's economic competitiveness. The Greens' proposal for a special fund for the railway and the expansion of the hydrogen network has been rejected.

Instead, the Union calls for a growth package that focuses on deregulation, reducing bureaucracy, and providing relief. The budget proposal for 2025 will be debated and finalized in the Bundestag after the parliamentary summer break.

However, there is disagreement as the Federal Ministry of Finance is requesting further savings in the social sector and consumption spending due to constitutional concerns. The SPD and the Greens criticize this and demand solutions from Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

Lindner denies allegations of making changes to the budget after the fact and aims to ensure a constitutionally sound budget. The debate over the budget is ongoing, with different parties offering various proposals and concerns.