Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) defended the federal government’s decision to overhaul the approach to democratic promotion, which includes phasing out certain existing funding projects. According to Prien, the new direction means moving away from defining diversity as a primary, standalone goal, a principle that had underpinned “innovation projects” in the past. She stated that, in her view, “diversity alone is not a sufficient funding goal,” and that the focus should instead be on reaching the quiet center or consensus. For instance, the “Democracy Lives” program, she noted, is not intended to advocate for a specific stance on refugee policy.
This program reorientation has faced criticism, primarily from civil society groups. However, Prien maintained that the change is necessary to respond to the growing spread of radicalization within society. Therefore, she argued, the strategy should involve leveraging established societal structures, such as schools and associations, more actively.
