Is social security on the verge of failure?

In a proposal aimed at increasing "integration willingness," Christian Erhardt-Maciejewski, a councilor, suggests a system similar to BAföG for asylum seekers and recognized refugees. The system would reward quick employment, work, or passing language tests with debt forgiveness and repayment allowances.

The proposal, which has already been implemented on a small scale in the district of Greiz, Thuringia, is not without controversy. The Federal Constitutional Court demands a claim to the minimum existence that is permanently realistic, and a loan model could potentially undermine this claim. Some politicians, including Georg Maier, the interior minister of Thuringia and a fellow Social Democrat, view the proposal as "content-wise unripe" and warn of potential constitutional dangers.

The goal of the proposal is to encourage quick entry into the job market and discourage prolonged unemployment. Those who find work within a year would have a part of the loan forgiven. However, migration researchers caution that the incentive to work could potentially backfire, as those who already earn little may have less net income due to repayments, lowering the incentive to work later.

The Greens and the Left perceive the proposal as a form of "forced indebtedness of the poorest" and believe it could have negative consequences. Sahra Wagenknecht, a prominent politician, criticizes the loan approach as potentially ineffective, suggesting benefits for recognized refugees should be handled more realistically, with payment cessation for rejected applicants.

The implementation of the proposal would likely require changes in federal laws, as municipalities currently have to consider constitutional pitfalls. The district of Greiz in Thuringia has already experienced some refugees leaving when the payment card was introduced, raising concerns about its impact.

The debate about the rules of migration, including how work permits can be granted more quickly, professional qualifications recognized, and German language promotion targeted, is likely to continue as a result of this proposal. Philipp Amthor, a CDU politician, supports the proposal, viewing it as a catalyst for a debate about justice.

In Greiz, Thuringia, the refugee payment card system functions as a social benefits instrument enabling controlled spending. However, details on its direct influence in the ongoing credit debate are not explicitly detailed in the sources. The proposal, with its potential benefits and risks, continues to spark heated discussions among politicians and migration experts.