German Family Minister Prien signals possible reversal of parental allowance cuts

Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has indicated that the planned cuts to parental allowance (Elterngeld) may be reconsidered, offering hope to families across Germany. Prien also suggested that the distribution of parental allowance months between partners could still change.

Review of Savings Measures

Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Prien stated that following the summer debates, she advocates for the coalition to "sit down together again and check whether the savings measures on parental allowance in this scope are effective and justified."

When asked directly whether she would consider not reducing parental allowance months from 14 to 12, the minister replied: "I am open to that." She noted that the coalition is currently deliberating various models. "We need to calculate them and see what savings we can achieve with a more moderate reform."

Budget Constraints and Criticism

Prien's ministry, like all government departments, is required to achieve savings. Over the summer, under strict budget guidelines, her office drafted a parental allowance reform proposal and circulated it to other ministries for approval. Parental allowance represents by far the largest expenditure item in the ministry's budget.

Partner Months Under Discussion

The allocation of parental allowance months between partners may also be revised. "We are discussing all the adjustment levers and have not yet settled on any model within the coalition," Prien said. She added: "We must focus more on the needs of parents. The reduction to twelve months with a different distribution of partnership months is difficult for many families to implement."

Under the current proposal:

• Maximum benefit duration would be cut from 14 to 12 months
• The so-called "father months" would be increased
• Benefit amounts would rise slightly
• Each parent would be entitled to three reserved months
• The remaining six months could be divided between partners

The plans have drawn widespread criticism.

Coalition Course Corrections

Following recent electoral losses for both the CDU and SPD in state elections, coalition partners are discussing course corrections on various reform projects. The controversial plans to cut advance maintenance payments (Unterhaltsvorschuss) for single parents are also being questioned within the government.

Frustration Over Spending Priorities

Prien expressed frustration that, due to strict savings requirements imposed by Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD), she has had to announce cuts in various areas and absorb criticism—while suddenly funds became available to lower fuel prices.

"The fuel discount is only a temporary measure whose effect quickly fades. But it costs a lot of money," Prien complained. She added that the funds are being distributed with a "watering can" approach. "I understand if people find it unfair that money is available for that while we are cutting advance maintenance payments."

Source: AFP/rct