Left Party Examines Steps Against Basic Security: 'Constitutional Complaint Possible'

Germany's Left Party is exploring legal avenues, including a potential constitutional complaint, to challenge the recently implemented 'Grundsicherung' (basic security) benefits system. Party chairwoman Ines Schwerdtner announced the party is examining legal steps against the new regulations, which took effect on Wednesday.

“

We are now examining a constitutional complaint against this, because the Federal Constitutional Court already ruled in 2019 that it actually violates our constitution to totally sanction people.

Schwerdtner stated that the party is considering a constitutional lawsuit because the Federal Constitutional Court ruled in 2019 that imposing total sanctions on individuals violates the constitution. "We are now examining a constitutional complaint against this, because the Federal Constitutional Court already ruled in 2019 that it actually violates our constitution to totally sanction people," Schwerdtner said in an interview.

“

For this, the job centers must be better equipped. There also needs to be better job placement and more language courses.

The Left Party supports the goal of helping people find work faster but insists that job centers need better resources. Schwerdtner emphasized the need for improved job placement services and more language courses. She noted that the vast majority of current 'Bürgergeld' recipients are single parents and individuals with mental health issues who require support, not sanctions, to re-enter the job market. Schwerdtner pointed out that only 0.3 percent of recipients are considered total refusers, while highlighting that 800,000 people in Germany could live off private assets or rental income, labeling them as the "real social parasites."

“

The vast majority of current Bürgergeld recipients are single parents and mentally ill people who need support, not sanctions, to get back into the labor market.

The new 'Grundsicherung' system, formerly known as 'Bürgergeld,' increases pressure on recipients to accept jobs. Failure to cooperate can lead to monthly benefit reductions or complete cancellation. Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented on X, stating that work now takes precedence and that clear rules against benefit abuse have been established, while ensuring help for those in need remains unchanged. He described this as a matter of social justice.

“

These are the real social parasites in this country. But not someone who sits at home with a mental illness and is afraid to go to the job center because of it.