The Interior Ministry’s decision to halt integration courses was apparently made without consulting the SPD. “There was no agreement with us about the integration‑course matters” said Hakan Demir, SPD’s deputy spokesperson on integration policy, to the Tagesspiegel. “We were not involved”.
Demir called the minister’s move “a catastrophe” and asked why the government would cut spending at the single policy area that concerns integration and participation. He noted that the funding for this year is already reflected in the budget.
“I do not understand why they suddenly want to save money on the only item that deals with integration and inclusion” Demir added. The SPD pointed out that the number of people who have come to Germany and are now living here has not suddenly dropped dramatically. “The need remains” he said. He also warned that millions will leave the labor market over the coming years, underscoring the need for people to stay and support the country.
The Greens have expressed a similar concern. Marcel Emmerich, the Greens’ parliamentary spokesperson on internal policy, told the Tagesspiegel, “It is hypocritical to demand integration yet simultaneously brake the integration courses”. He warned that Alexander Dobrindt’s blockage might make him Germany’s greatest refuser of integration.
“Everyone knows that investments in integration courses have paid off-they promote language skills, employment, participation, and social cohesion” Emmerich added. He criticized the minister for citing budget constraints while, under the debt‑bail reform, the Interior Ministry has significant new leeway. According to Emmerich, the cuts only worsen the problems the minister loudly laments. Rather than prioritizing integration, the minister is turning off the money tap on the most effective instruments.
