Lower thirds:
0:03  Report by / Simon Young
0:17  Friedrich Merz / German Chancellor, Osnabrück 23.08.2025
1:15  Bärbel Bas / SPD co-leader
2:16  Friedrich Merz / German Chancellor

Script:

Germany's welfare state:
a cornerstone of its postwar democracy -
redistributing wealth
to help those in need to stand on their own two feet.
But Chancellor Merz says it's unaffordable:
SOT Friedrich Merz German Chancellor (Osnabrück 23.08.2025)
"The welfare state that we have today can no longer be financed with what we produce in the economy. So we have to change it.”
(("Der Sozialstaat, wie wir ihn heute haben, ist mit dem, was wir volkswirtschaftlich leisten, nicht mehr finanzierbar, und deswegen werden wir das ändern müssen."))
Every year the government pays out billions in
-pensions for the elderly, 
-funding for the healthcare insurance system, 
-and support for the country's around three million unemployed.
The projection for spending in 2026 
shows the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry
-responsible for pensioners and those without work-
will account for 38% of the total budget, 
far more than any other ministry.
But Social Democrat party co-leader Bärbel Bas
who is also the Social Affairs Minister 
used a strong expletive when she
dismissed the idea that Germany can no longer afford its welfare state. 
SOT Bärbel Bas, SPD co-leader
"This debate — that we can no longer afford our social insurance systems and our welfare state — is, and I apologize for the language, bull****."
(("Diese Debatte gerade dass wir uns diese Sozialversicherungssysteme und diesen Sozialstaat finanziell nicht mehr leisten können ist 
und ich entschuldige mich jetzt schon für den Ausdruck, Bullshit - das ist Bullshit."))
In fact, when compared to the size of its economy,
Germany's social spending is similar 
to that of other industrialised countries.
But in addition to the cost, 
the welfare system is complex:
it tries to address not just poverty 
but also the needs of families
and those with disabilities,
as well as issues like housing.
Trimming bits off it would not be easy, 
not least because
many of these commitments are enshrined in law.
Despite her criticisms, 
the SPD's Bärbel Bas agrees reform is needed.
And while Friedrich Merz wants to reduce the social spend
for instance by cutting payments to the unemployed
if they fail to turn up to job appointments,
he is not questioning the principle.
SOT Friedrich Merz, Chancellor: 
"We agree that we want to preserve the welfare state."	
So for now, the government parties are claiming 
they are back in harmony 
despite divisions over how to pay for welfare.