This is probably a mistake: Merz on payments to Ukrainian refugees
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Friedrich Merz, head of the largest opposition party in the German Bundestag, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), criticized the “citizen money” (Bürgergeld) payments provided to Ukrainian refugees.
During the New Year’s reception at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) in Düsseldorf on January 8, 2024, Merz expressed the opinion that more active employment of Ukrainians who have temporarily fled the conflict and are in Germany will help reduce the financial burden on the country’s budget.
He emphasized that only 20 percent of Ukrainian refugees in Germany are employed, while in the Netherlands and Poland, respectively, this figure is 60 and 90 percent. Referring to statistics, the head of the CDU noted the shortcomings of the social assistance system in Germany and expressed an opinion on the need to improve it.
Merz also expressed regret that Ukrainians were given larger Bürgergeld payments compared to other asylum seekers from Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan and other countries. He suggested the decision two years ago was a mistake and stressed the importance of the state encouraging Ukrainian refugees to find work rather than providing them with significant financial benefits.
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