A recent Deutschlandtrend poll conducted by Infratest Dimap on behalf of ARD-„Tagesthemen“ and WELT has shown that a large majority of Germans support cutting state benefits for individuals receiving Bürgergeld (basic income) who refuse job offers. In the survey, 79 percent of respondents believe that cutting Bürgergeld when job offers are rejected is the right direction, while only 14 percent oppose this measure. Currently, individuals receiving Bürgergeld can face reductions for repeatedly declining job opportunities, excluding costs for housing and heating. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has announced plans to revise the system to ensure that those capable of working are actively employed. The Greens, however, are against further cuts, while the Union is advocating for sanctions of up to 100 percent for “total refusers” and a comprehensive overhaul of social benefits.
Although there is widespread support for cuts across party lines, differences in opinion can be observed. Approximately two-thirds of SPD and Green supporters each endorse these reductions, while 89 percent of CDU/CSU backers do. Support is also high among AfD supporters (88 percent) and supporters of the Sahra Wagenknecht party (74 percent). Additionally, there is strong support for other measures in labor and social policy, with nearly three-quarters of the population backing “better conditions for families to enable mothers, in particular, to work more.” There is also significant support for a “faster integration of refugees into the German labor market.”
In contrast, only 56 percent of respondents agree with an “easier immigration to Germany for foreign skilled workers.” Support is low among AfD supporters (30 percent) and high among Green supporters (91 percent). A majority of 69 percent opposes a “gradual increase in the retirement age as life expectancy rises.” The coalition government is currently discussing the future financing of pensions, with proposals including securing pensions through stock investments. While half of the population supports this idea, nearly one-third believes it is heading in the wrong direction. Concerns about retirement security are evident, with 52 percent feeling inadequately prepared for retirement, rising to 60 percent in eastern Germany.
The survey also highlights the primary concerns of Germans, with immigration and refugee influx ranking as the most significant issue for 26 percent of respondents. This is followed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine at 21 percent, the state of the economy at 19 percent, and social injustice or poverty in Germany at 17 percent. Two-thirds of Germans view peace and security in Europe as “strongly” or “very strongly” threatened, leading to majority support for a common EU army (59 percent). There is, however, a noticeable skepticism regarding EU membership, with 36 percent seeing both advantages and disadvantages, compared to 35 percent who mainly see benefits and 23 percent who see drawbacks.
Regarding the Nato’s 75th anniversary, a large majority of Germans back the defense alliance, with 82 percent believing it is crucial for maintaining peace in Europe. More than two-thirds believe it is in Europe’s interest to preserve a joint military alliance with the USA. The performance of the ruling Ampel coalition continues to receive poor ratings, with only a quarter being satisfied with the government. If the federal election were held next Sunday, the FDP and Left parties would miss re-entry. The Liberals are currently at four percent, the Left at three percent, and the Sahra Wagenknecht-founded BSW at five percent. The SPD and Greens are both at 15 percent, with the Union at 30 percent and the AfD at 18 percent. This information was gathered from a representative Deutschlandtrend survey conducted by Infratest Dimap from April 2nd to 3rd, interviewing 1304 eligible voters through 777 phone calls and 527 online surveys, with a margin of error between two and three percentage points.
