Work & welfare
The statement in the quiz
People on unemployment benefits who repeatedly turn down a reasonable job should have their benefits stopped completely.
Background
Since July 2026, basic income support (Grundsicherung) has replaced the citizen’s income (Bürgergeld). Under the new system, if someone turns down a reasonable job that is actually available without good reason, the part of the benefit that covers living costs can be stopped entirely, and the state pays the rent directly to the landlord.
Sources for the background: tagesschau: Key points of the new basic income support
ForLeaning forNeutral / mixedLeaning againstAgainstNot in manifesto
Says people who are fundamentally unwilling to work should be treated as not in need, and their benefits stopped entirely.
From the manifesto „Dann muss die Grundsicherung komplett gestrichen werden.“Source: CDU/CSU manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 31
Criticises job centres for weak sanctions against people who turn down reasonable work; wants people on benefits to do community work after six months.
From the manifesto „Jobcenter können in vielen Fällen von Pflichtverletzungen nicht ausreichend sanktionieren oder wenden mögliche Sanktionen nicht an, etwa wenn eine zumutbare angebotene Arbeit nicht angenommen wird.“Source: AfD manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 25
Expects people on benefits to cooperate, but does not mention stopping benefits completely.
From the manifesto „Deswegen wird zu Recht Mitwirkung eingefordert.“Source: SPD manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 14
Since the election: In government, it agreed in the 2025 coalition agreement to stop benefits completely for people who repeatedly refuse reasonable work, and the new system was passed in 2026.
Stresses incentives and support and does not talk about tougher sanctions.
From the manifesto „Ein starker Sozialstaat traut den Menschen etwas zu, setzt auf Anreize und Unterstützung“Source: Greens manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 100
Wants to turn the system into an individual minimum income with no sanctions.
From the manifesto „Wir wollen das Bürgergeld zu einer sanktionsfreien individuellen Mindestsicherung umbauen.“Source: Die Linke manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 15
Says people who turn down training without good reason must face consequences, but does not mention stopping benefits completely.
From the manifesto „Wer Maßnahmen ohne triftige Gründe ablehnt, muss mit Konsequenzen rechnen.“Source: BSW manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 22
Wants benefits reduced step by step when people show no initiative, and sanctions that work better.
From the manifesto „Bei fehlender Initiative sollen die Sozialleistungen Stück für Stück reduziert werden.“Source: FDP manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 19
Positions are coded on five steps: for, leaning for, neutral or mixed, leaning against, against. A party whose manifesto says nothing on the statement is marked “not in manifesto”, and the quiz leaves the statement out of that party’s score. The coding method and its checks are on the method page.
This is one of the statements in the German Party Spectrum Quiz. The whole quiz takes about five minutes and shows how your views split across the seven parties, plus your place on an economic and social map. No sign-up, and we never ask who you are.
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Manifesto coding and background checked: 27 September 2026 Update log