German Government Plans to Cut €25 Child Supplement, Sparking Outrage Over Impact on Poor Families

The German federal government intends to abolish the €25 Kinderzuschlag (child supplement), a benefit designed as a temporary relief measure pending the introduction of a planned Kindergrundsicherung (child basic security). The author, Janina Lütt, writing for the weekly newspaper der Freitag, expresses shock at the decision, particularly because the supplement is being cut precisely because the Kindergrundsicherung will not be implemented. She argues that €25 is not a trivial amount for people living in poverty; it can mean the ability to buy food for four days. Having enough to eat provides security, which she says both children and adults should have. The author notes that the cut disproportionately affects those with little political representation and the least ability to defend themselves: small people, children. She also mentions having personally experienced months where money ran out before the month ended. The article is an opinion piece published on freitag.de, criticizing the government's decision as cynical, especially regarding its impact on children. No further details on the timeline or specific legislative process are provided in the source.