Hamburg Residents Reject Basic income Model Experiment in Landmark Vote
HAMBURG,Germany – A popular initiative seeking to establish a basic income model experiment in Hamburg was defeated in a city-wide vote held October 13,2025.Preliminary results indicate a majority of Hamburg residents opposed the proposal, effectively halting plans for a trial run of unconditional basic income payments.
The initiative, “Hamburg tests basic income,” garnered 95,842 signatures to trigger the referendum, aiming to implement a program providing residents with a regular, no-strings-attached income. Supporters argued the experiment would alleviate poverty, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and foster economic innovation. Though, opponents raised concerns about the financial sustainability of such a program and its potential impact on the labor market. The vote’s outcome signals public skepticism towards large-scale basic income trials, despite growing global interest in the concept as a potential solution to economic inequality and job displacement due to automation.
The referendum asked citizens to approve funding and legal frameworks for a basic income experiment within the city-state. While the exact percentage of votes against the initiative is still being tallied, early indications confirm a clear majority rejection. the outcome concludes months of public debate and campaigning from both sides of the issue.
The “Hamburg tests basic income” initiative was launched by a coalition of citizen groups and supported by some progressive political factions. They proposed a model experiment designed to assess the effects of unconditional basic income on employment, health, and social participation. Following the vote, organizers expressed disappointment but vowed to continue advocating for alternative approaches to social welfare reform.
