Berlin Senator Criticizes Cuts to Child Maintenance Payments

Berlin's Family Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch has voiced strong opposition to federal plans that would curb child maintenance payments, arguing that children should not bear the brunt of parental irresponsibility. The proposed reform, championed by Federal Family Minister Karin Prien, seeks to limit the duration of these payments to the child's 16th birthday, a move Günther-Wünsch critically views.

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Children must not be the ones to suffer when one parent shirks their responsibility.

Currently, the state provides maintenance payments for children of single parents when one partner fails to meet their financial obligations. Prien's plan would affect an estimated 80,000 young people, a significant reduction from the previous system where payments extended to age 18. This reform also faces criticism from the SPD, the coalition partner in the federal government.

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Therefore, I view the consideration of paying child maintenance only until the age of 16 in the future critically.

Günther-Wünsch, a member of the CDU, not only opposes the reduction in benefits but also calls for more stringent measures against parents who evade their financial duties. She highlighted that fathers are predominantly the ones failing to pay, and stressed the need for effective actions if current instruments prove insufficient. The Senator suggested that jail sentences as an alternative for non-payment should be expedited and supported the federal proposal to revoke driver's licenses from delinquent parents.

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The fathers are predominantly the ones who are delinquent in maintenance payments. If existing instruments are not sufficient, we must take further effective measures.