Overview

• Lars Klingbeil said the SPD is ready to reform and pressed for “deutliche Veränderungen” to Bürgergeld as part of a broader plan.
• The finance minister said Union and SPD will present a coherent package, with structural reforms aimed at narrowing the 2027 shortfall and talks on trimming subsidies and possibly inheritance tax changes.
• Labour Minister Bärbel Bas argued that larger welfare savings are realistic only with stronger economic growth and by moving recipients into jobs.
• Bas called for far‑reaching modernization of the welfare administration, saying digitalization and efficiency gains could deliver substantial cost reductions.
• She warned against adopting AfD themes and acknowledged contributing to government infighting, referring to her earlier “bullshit” remark about the chancellor’s claim on welfare affordability.