German chancellor candidate Merz says aid to Ukrainian refugees in Germany should be cut
Kyiv • UNN
Friedrich Merz is in favor of cutting social benefits for Ukrainian refugees in Germany. Instead, he proposes to give them the immediate right to work without the need to learn the language.
Ukrainians fleeing the war and arriving in Germany should not receive "assistance for citizens" but a more modest amount provided for by another category. This was stated by German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz in an interview with the Rheinische Post newspaper, UNN reports.
Details
It is noted that he made this statement while criticizing the current German government, which, in Merz's opinion, spends budget money too wastefully.
In particular, the politician called "the largest, literally explosive item of expenditure" of the German budget "assistance for citizens", which is paid not only to Ukrainians.
We need to turn the system upside down again. The concept of "assistance for citizens" will disappear. We plan to introduce a new basic social assistance. We will put an end to illegal migration and thus reduce large budget expenditures
The politician criticized the current system where a foreigner must first take German language courses to be allowed to work. According to the politician, it is much easier to learn the language on the job than in courses, which are not enough for everyone.
The German chancellor candidate promised that if his opposition Christian Democratic Union wins the election, the aid to Ukrainians in Germany will be replaced with more modest aid, but they will immediately be given the right to work.
Recall
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated the need to stimulate the employment of Ukrainian refugees. Zelensky plans to create an institution in Germany and Poland to support Ukrainians in finding work or returning.
