Söder demands a reduction in citizen's income "to the absolute minimum"

2026-06-22

Bavarian Prime Minister and CSU leader Markus Söder has called for a significant reduction in Germany’s citizen’s income (Bürgergeld), arguing that current payments are too high and place an unfair burden on taxpayers.

Speaking to *Bild am Sonntag*, Söder said the benefit should be reduced “to the absolute constitutional minimum.” He claimed that current support levels, when combined with housing assistance and child-related benefits, create a total package that many citizens find difficult to understand or accept.

Söder also argued that even after recent welfare reforms, overall spending has remained at around €50 billion, which he considers excessive. He said incentives should encourage people to return to work faster and reduce long-term dependence on state support.

A key part of his proposal is to stop Ukrainians from being indirectly financed through the Bürgergeld (citizen’s income system), calling for changes in the legal framework to separate or reduce such payments within the welfare structure.

In addition, Söder demanded stricter migration-related financial controls, including a nationwide payment card system for asylum seekers instead of cash benefits. He said in-kind payments would help reduce costs and limit misuse. He also argued that deportations and voluntary returns should be increased, and suggested legal action against NGOs that attempt to bypass the system.