Federal Army - Bavarian state parliament passes Bundeswehr law
Universities and state schools in Bavaria are supposed to work closer with the Federal Military in the future. This is the central point of a separate Bavarian Federal Military Law that the Landtag passed with the votes of the CSU, Free Voters, and SPD. The Greens raised serious constitutional concerns and voted against the bill, while the AfD abstained.
From the critics' perspective, the most questionable and possibly unconstitutional aspect: The law aims to prevent universities and research institutions from prohibiting military use of their research - even though such "civil clauses" do not exist anywhere in the state. Instead, a cooperation requirement is prescribed for universities and the Federal Military, and in matters of national security, a cooperation obligation.
Critics have constitutional concerns
Moreover, state schools are supposed to work more closely with youth officers. Planned are also simplifications for the Federal Military regarding building law on military grounds. The law states that one wants to "ensure unimpeded access of the Federal Military to research and development at universities," make it easier for them to enter schools, and "take into account the requirements of defense and civil protection in spatial planning." Speakers from the CSU and Free Voters defended the innovations as absolutely necessary, also to strengthen the security and defense capabilities of the state. State Chancellor Florian Herrmann (CSU) accused critics of "ideological blindness."
Critics complain that the law unjustifiably interferes with the autonomy of universities, research and academic freedom, and the fundamental rights of scientists and researchers. More than 1,000 people, including the singer-songwriter Konstantin Wecker, the theologian Margot Käßmann, or the former IG Metall boss Jürgen Peters, had recently signed a petition against the law and demanded its withdrawal. They fear that with its implementation, a "militarization of the educational sector" will follow.
- Despite reservations from Alliance 90/The Greens and critical voices from California State University professors, universities in Munich are expected to collaborate more closely with the Federal Military, as per the new Bavarian law.
- The recent changes in the Bavarian Federal Military Law, approved by the State parliament with the backing of the CSU, Free Voters, and SPD, could potentially lead to the Federal Military having unrestricted access to research and development at Bayern's universities.
- Critics argue that the new legislation in Bavaria's University system represents an intrusion into the autonomy of educational institutions, threatening academic freedom and possibly leading to a "militarization" of the educational sector.
- As a result of this controversial law, high schools in Bavaria will work more closely with youth officers and simplify building regulations for military grounds, aiming to unite research and national security interests.
- The AfD, though they abstained in the legislative vote, share concerns about the potential conflicts between the rights of academics and the state's defense interests, prompting further discussions on the execution and ramifications of this new law.
