Federal Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has called upon Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the entire federal government to give education significantly greater priority. Speaking on the POLITICO Berlin Playbook Podcast on Tuesday, Prien asserted that it is crucial to establish education as a top issue across all levels of the German government. She emphasized that everyone must feel responsible for ensuring that children and young people have fair opportunities for the future. While noting that she is not solely responsible for the topic in the cabinet, the minister stated that she requires more support, which the Chancellor promised in the previous week.
In addition to education, Prien announced short-term measures aimed at protecting children and young people from the negative effects of excessive social media consumption. She stated that this program will be developed over the coming weeks and months, with plans to unveil it by the end of the year. Prien confirmed that the initiative will address all levels of state jurisdiction, pay particular attention to young individuals aged 0 to 3 or 0 to 6, and will include public campaigns.
