The German federal government intends to increase funding for the controversial “Democracy Alive” program, according to a report in the September edition of Cicero magazine.
Despite broader austerity measures, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs has confirmed a planned increase of ten million euros. “Democracy Alive” provides support to federal states, municipalities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The current coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD stipulated a commitment to an independent review of the program’s objectives and effectiveness.
Newly appointed State Secretary Ingo Behnel stated that changes to the federal program are “absolutely necessary” citing concerns that some projects exhibit excessive “political symbolism”. However, he simultaneously emphasized the program’s fundamental importance. The additional ten million euros, available from 2026, will be used to advance digitalization, enhance project efficiency and rigorously evaluate impact, according to Behnel.
Meanwhile, significant constitutional concerns are being raised regarding the program, which has already received 200 million euros in federal funding. As early as 2022, the Federal Audit Office reportedly identified a potential “lack of federal competence” in an internal review. Constitutional law expert Christian Hillgruber from Bonn questions the justification used by the federal government to support the program, arguing that a task’s “supranational” or nationwide character does not automatically establish federal authority.
Volker Boehme-Neßler, a legal scholar from Oldenburg, is even more critical, describing the payments from the federal government to municipalities as a “golden rein”. He argues that these payments create dependencies that are contrary to the Basic Law, rendering the practice associated with “Democracy Alive” unconstitutional.