A coalition of welfare groups and unions has urged the German government not to go through with planned cuts to social spending, particularly to the elderly care system.
“Social cohesion is a prerequisite for democratic stability,” the coalition of 14 bodies said.
The German Cabinet, which consists of ministers belonging to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right CDU, the Bavarian sister party CSU, and the center-left SPD, approved a bill late last month to reform the care system. The sector has come under increasing pressure due to the aging population.
The reform means that childless employees will pay higher surcharges for long-term care insurance and high-income earners will also have to pay more.
There will also be a reassessment of different care levels, which correspond to the benefits and services people receive. Care workers will also be burdened with additional tasks.
The reform, which aims to plug a budget gap of around €8 billion ($9 billion) in the coming year, still needs to undergo further steps in the legislative process, such as getting passed in the Bundestag.
The coalition, which includes the Verdi union and social welfare organizations such as Caritas, said it was essential that adequate care was provided alongside safe staffing levels.
The alliance said it was concerned the government was also planning cuts to other areas, including housing and youth support.
It also called for additional wealth and inheritance taxes.
