Gathering of Educational and Cultural Affairs Ministers - Hubig advocates for abolishing the unanimity rule.
The Education Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, Stefanie Hubig, has voiced her support for abolishing the unanimity principle in the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). According to Hubig, this results in lengthy talks and "formula compromises." In a column piece for the weekly newspaper "Die Zeit," the Social Democratic politician suggested that decisions be made with qualified majorities, which would prevent KMK from constantly relying on the smallest common denominator.
Alternatively, the "opt-out" method could also be considered, where states would be involved in decision-making but would not be obligated to immediately implement them. Hubig emphasized that "if one state digs in its heels, the KMK can't make crucial decisions anymore." The current process, which takes an average of nine months, is too time-consuming and does not allow for necessary flexibility.
Read also:
The suggestion to reform the decision-making process in the KMK comes from the Education Minister of Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate state, Stefanie Hubig. The proposal involves replacing the unanimity rule with qualified majorities, a change that Hubig believes would expedite the often lengthy meetings and lead to more substantial decisions. This discussion took place during a gathering of ministers in Mainz, the capital city of Rhineland-Palatinate, and is a significant matter for Hubig due to her affiliation with the SPD party. Furthermore, the federal government, as a whole, is watching this conference closely, as education policies play a crucial role in the overall development of society.
