Linke on families

The Left wants a major expansion of public, fee-free all-day care for children of all ages. The second parent would get 28 days of leave after the birth, and the minimum Elterngeld (parental allowance) would rise to 420 euros. The aim is to make family and work easier to combine and to share care work more equally.

The Left wants more daycare and all-day care. Care should cost nothing. After a birth, the second parent would also get 28 days off. The lowest parental allowance would rise to 420 euros.

The legal right to all-day care would be implemented and enough daycare places created. Leave for the second parent would start at birth. The minimum and maximum parental allowance would be tied to the consumer price index. Until a basic child benefit exists, the minimum parental allowance would not be deducted from Bürgergeld or asylum seeker benefits.

The Left wants to abolish Ehegattensplitting (joint tax splitting for married couples) and tax each person individually. Single parents would get a tax credit and improved advance child support. For the party, family is wherever people take responsibility for each other, regardless of marriage.

Married couples often pay less tax today through joint filing. The Left wants to end that. Each person would be taxed alone. Single parents would get more help. Families with two mothers or two fathers would get equal rights.

An unused basic tax-free allowance could be transferred between spouses or partners. The tax credit for single parents would be worth at least as much as today's relief amount of 2,028 euros a year at its maximum effect and would rise regularly. For advance child support, Kindergeld (child benefit) would no longer be fully deducted, and eligibility would extend to age 25. Protection from violence would be written into custody and visitation law. Rainbow families would get equal status, and parentage law would be reformed.

The Left wants to create a stand-alone Kindergrundsicherung (basic child benefit) that combines four benefits. It includes a Kindergeld (child benefit) of 350 euros a month for every child. The aim is to fight child poverty.

The Left wants a basic benefit for children. Every child would get 350 euros a month. Poor children would get extra money. Housing costs and school trips would also be covered.

The 350-euro child benefit would be paid regardless of parents' income and no longer be deducted from Bürgergeld. Children living in poverty would also get an age-based supplement of up to 379 euros a month. On top of that come the child's share of actual housing costs and one-time or special needs such as school trips or moving costs.