The Federal Government has responded to a parliamentary inquiry, stating that it has no evidence to support the claim that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supported by the government have formed a “shadow structure”. The government’s response highlights the importance of civil society engagement in promoting a diverse and democratic society and emphasizes the need to counter hate and polarization.
The government’s argument is based on the principle of the separation of powers, stating that the evaluation of a non-profit organization’s community benefit is the responsibility of the state and local authorities. The government’s position is that it has only supported civil society engagement in a bipartisan manner, with the aim of promoting a diverse and democratic society.
The article argues that the government’s response is misleading, as the inquiry also asked about the use of public funds. The author points out that the government’s use of public funds to support NGOs is a matter of public accountability, as taxpayers’ money is being used to fund organizations that may have a political agenda.
The author also criticizes the government’s response for being evasive, citing the example of Correctiv, a non-profit organization that was involved in a controversy over a fabricated story about a meeting in Potsdam. The author argues that the government’s response was inadequate, as it failed to address the issue of the use of public funds to support organizations that may have a political agenda.
The article concludes by highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds and the importance of protecting the rights of individuals and organizations to engage in free speech and association.