The government’s tightened funding for integration courses by the Federal Government has sparked anger among the organizations that run these programs. Julia von Westerholt, the director of the DDV association, told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” that instead of providing the urgently needed funds to secure these courses, the government is continuing down “a worrying course.” She warned that another budget cut is accelerating the dismantling of integration courses and risks systematically damaging “one of the most successful integration instruments.”
According to the Higher Education Association, the interior ministry’s planned savings go beyond what the course providers had previously understood. The allocated sum of 590 million euros in the budget is actually ten percent less than the previously known financial plan. Consequently, the association stated that integration courses are “not adequately financed this year or next.” They warned that this weakness “undermines social cohesion and jeopardizes the securing of specialized labor in our country,” and announced planned resistance, with Westerholt asserting, “We will not accept this.”
Even members of the SPD are calling for modifications. Interior politician Hakan Demir told the SZ that “if you want more people to have jobs, you must advocate for integration courses.” He added that until November, his party would fight “for every euro and find compromises.” Demir emphasized that ensuring adequate funding for integration courses is not just an SPD goal, but one shared by the Union, citing their agreement in the coalition contract, which is not yet reflected in the current budget draft.
In the opposition, the criticism is even sharper. Green parliamentary member Leon Eckert told the SZ that instead of covering the real needs from previous years, “Interior Minister Dobrindt is only allocating just under 600 million euros.” He argued that this measure is denying access to language learning for thousands of willing individuals seeking integration.
Meanwhile, Alexander Dobrindt’s Federal Interior Ministry (CSU) indicated that more money might be available at least next year. While the budget proposal for the coming year sets the amount at 590 million euros, the ministry suggested that “expenditure surpluses” from the current year could be added. However, they noted that this would not be a permanent solution. Negotiations within the coalition regarding potential cuts have been ongoing for months. Although the Union and SPD reportedly agreed on a compromise in May, no concrete cutting plans were mentioned at that time.
