Among other things, he called for the complete elimination of Bürgergeld (citizen’s income) for Ukrainian refugees—both those already living in Germany and those arriving in the future. Söder also urged stricter measures for unemployed individuals in Germany.
Söder Wants to Cut Off Citizen’s Income for Ukrainian Refugees Entirely
In the interview, broadcast Sunday on the ZDF program Berlin direkt, Söder stated that refugees from Ukraine should no longer receive citizen’s income. His exact words were:
“There should be no more Bürgergeld for those who have come from Ukraine—not just for future arrivals, but for everyone.”
This demand goes far beyond what is currently stipulated in the coalition agreement between the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU). As it stands, the agreement plans that starting April 1, 2025, newly arriving Ukrainians in need will no longer be eligible for Bürgergeld but will instead receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act—just like refugees from other countries.
Söder criticized the current policy by claiming that Germany is the only country in the world that grants Ukrainian refugees citizen’s income. He cited this as a key reason why relatively few Ukrainians are employed in Germany, despite having good qualifications. However, he did not provide any verifiable data to support this claim.
Tougher Approach Toward the Unemployed
Alongside his criticism of the Bürgergeld, Söder announced broader reform proposals. He called for a fundamental redesign of the current benefits system, including stricter obligations for recipients to accept available jobs.
“We must finally ensure that anyone who is capable of working actually takes up employment,”
Söder stated. He emphasized the principle of “support and demand” should be more strongly enforced in the welfare system.
Linking Social Policy to Economic Needs
Söder also framed his demands within a wider economic context. Citing new global challenges such as U.S. trade tariffs, he argued that the federal government urgently needs a comprehensive “economic update.” According to Söder, the current situation demands bold action.
His proposals aim to reduce government social spending while increasing workforce participation among refugees and the unemployed. However, it remains unclear whether these demands can be implemented within the current coalition framework. One thing is certain: Söder’s remarks are likely to fuel political debate in the weeks to come.
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