German Library Association Opposes Budget Cuts to Federal Agency for Civic Education

UAmong the items that are being put to the test in the negotiations on the federal budget is the budget of the Federal Agency for Civic Education. The institution, whose task is, among other things, to “strengthen democratic consciousness” will only have 76 million euros available next year, around 20 million euros less than before. Before the draft budget approved by the cabinet is discussed in the Bundestag in December, the German Library Association has now spoken out against the cuts. In times of misinformation, in which more and more people share anti-democratic attitudes, the federal government is sending the wrong signal with the proposed cuts, said Volker Heller, the association’s federal chairman. The projects of the Federal Agency for Civic Education are “indispensable” for promoting democracy and strengthening political education in Germany. The association is therefore appealing to the Bundestag to reverse the planned cuts.