The head of the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) Germany office, Martin Frick, has voiced sharp criticism regarding proposed cuts to humanitarian aid within the German federal budget.
Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Frick stated that Germany appears to be reducing its global engagement at a time when international support is urgently needed. He characterized the 2026 budget draft as sending a “devastating signal” warning that the ability of international organizations like the WFP will be increasingly hampered as global hunger crises intensify.
“These are not abstract numbers” Frick emphasized. “They represent lifeline cuts for people in acute need”. He added that Germany’s international credibility rests on reliability and responsibility and that a withdrawal from this responsibility not only exacerbates humanitarian crises worldwide, but also jeopardizes Germany’s own security and stability.
Dietmar Bartsch, parliamentary spokesperson for the Left party, has simultaneously cautioned against significant cuts to Germany’s social welfare system. Bartsch told the newspaper that the prospect of Finance Minister Klingbeil adopting what he described as a “FDP-style” austerity approach in response to a significant budget deficit, indicates a threat to the social state as not seen in decades.
Bartsch further called for a just tax and levy reform instead of proposed social and pension cuts suggested by figures such as Economics Minister Reiche. He argued that Germany currently holds a record number of wealthy individuals and that the country’s problem isn’t a lack of funds, but rather a scandalous level of inequality. Bartsch indicated that the Left party would support Klingbeil’s efforts to reinstate the wealth tax and reform inheritance and gift taxes.
