After the introduction of the payment card, migrants will only be able to receive a maximum of 50 euros per month in cash. This is what a draft resolution from Hesse and Lower Saxony for the Conference of Minister Presidents (MPK) in Berlin this Thursday proposes.
Hesse’s Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) confirmed to journalists: “Lower Saxony and Hesse are proposing 50 euros here. I assume that we will reach the greatest possible agreement here,” he said. “Politico” and “Spiegel” had previously reported. According to “Politico”, however, states with Green Party participation still have reservations, according to WELT information, for example Thuringia and Bremen.
“In view of the almost universal availability of cashless payment options in Germany, the payment card can in principle be used to pay for all goods to meet needs,” the template states.
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) supports the plans of Hesse and Lower Saxony. He told WELT: “It is important that we find a nationwide solution. And if there is an agreement on an upper limit of 50 euros for cash withdrawals, I will support that.” Saarland’s Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) also supports the payment card plans, according to WELT information.
A nationwide introduction of the payment card is planned for the autumn. At the moment, there is a patchwork of applications in Germany. Some districts have the card, some do not. The amount of cash always varies: in Thuringian districts alone, the amount varies in several stages between 50 euros and 204 euros. One of the purposes of the card is to prevent migrants from transferring money to people smugglers or family and friends abroad.
Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) is also calling for progress with payment cards. He said it was about a uniform approach. There should be no differences between the federal states, for example in the amount of cash withdrawals.
He also called for movement on the issue of migration, where there is a clear need for action, said Günther. “Agreements, some of which were made months ago and which need to be implemented by the federal government, are taking a long time to materialize.”
He mentioned migration agreements with other countries and third-country regulations so that asylum procedures can be carried out there. “Everything has been under review for a very long time and I think we are simply under pressure to act.” The high numbers are overwhelming the country’s ability to integrate. “We have to deliver with the conference.” The issue of migration affects many people. The results of the European elections have something to do with the fact that people feel that things are not moving forward quickly enough. Günther is convinced that people who have no prospects in Germany need to be deported more quickly.