The German Trade Union Federation (DGB) has criticized the parliamentary question of the Union to the political neutrality of non-governmental organizations as an attempt to muzzle engaged citizens.
“Initially, the Union is asking about the conditions for state funding of non-profit organizations. In reality, it seems to be trying to intimidate civil society actors and make future criticism more difficult” said DGB board member Anja Piel to the “New Osnabrück Times” (NOZ). With the “talk of a left shadow structure” parts of the CDU and CSU are also promoting a narrative that one has previously known mainly from the AfD.
Piel, former chair of the Lower Saxony Greens, described it as a “fatal signal in the direction of all these actors, if the Union faction in the Bundestag with a small inquiry puts the work of civil society organizations in question, which have clearly positioned themselves against the rightward shift in the last weeks and months.” The DGB is convinced that there can be no “political neutrality” when it comes to questions of democracy and the rule of law.
“If civil society organizations no longer dare to go critically into political debates out of fear of sanctions and the loss of state funding, that is a democratic step backward” warned the trade union leader. “This attack is not coincidental at a time when many associations, initiatives and organizations are already suffering under enormous cuts in state funding. Many of them are worried about their political survival. This too is a step backward for democracy.” The announced cuts in the area by the government must be revoked.