Overview
- The cabinet approved the reform before Christmas, rebranding Bürgergeld as Grundsicherung and tightening sanctions including a 30% cut after missed obligations and a temporary halt to payments after three missed Jobcenter appointments with protections for the mentally ill.
- The SPD members' petition formally began on December 23 and can run up to three months; it cleared the initial signature hurdle but would only be valid with at least 20% support and is not binding on the parliamentary group.
- Initiators split on the path forward, with Juso leader Sophie Ringhand calling the timing unfortunate while co‑organizer Denny Möller demands the Bundestag vote be delayed until after the party process concludes.
- Government figures show only modest savings from the welfare changes next year, with about 86 million euros net expected, far below earlier expectations of large reductions.
- Separately, the Bundestag passed a pension package to hold the 48% level until 2031 as economists warn of rising social costs, while CDU calls to revisit the coalition contract met SPD resistance and leaders brace for tough 2026 debates with a narrow majority and five state elections.