Multiple community groups caution about potential negative outcomes if federal spending continues to decrease.
Budget cuts in the federal government have sparked concern among various social welfare organizations. As per a recent survey, roughly two-thirds of the polled institutions had to scale back or abandon their services due to financial hardships over the past two years. Over three-quarters anticipate they'll need to trim their services even more next year. About 8,300 institutions took part in the survey, which was organized by organizations such as the Diakonie, Caritas, and AWO.
These organizations caution about a "dangerous cycle" in this instance. Providing aid to individuals facing tough life circumstances and emergencies will become progressively difficult for institutions and services "given rising costs and dwindling financial resources," according to a joint statement.
Further budget cuts in social and political services, as well as funding for volunteer work, are also seen as "a risk to democracy and unacceptable," the statement explained.
AWO-Federal Association President Michael Groß commented on the findings, stating, "Our survey illustrates: The budget policy of the Finance Minister poses a serious risk to our country's social infrastructure." Instead of cutting costs on people and their futures, the federal government ought to consequences.
Diakonie President Rüdiger Schuch underscored the impact of democracy on people's trust, stating that further budget cuts in social and political services, as well as funding for volunteer work, are "a risk to democracy and unacceptable."
The federal budget for the upcoming year is set to be approved by the cabinet on July 3. Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) advocates for significant budget cuts in multiple ministries and dismisses requests from coalition partners for a relaxation of the debt brake.
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- The survey conducted by organizations like Diakonie, Caritas, and AWO revealed that several social organizations had to implement reductions in their services due to the decreases in federal budget funding over the past two years, with over three-quarters anticipating more cuts next year.
- Federally-funded social and political services, as well as volunteer work, face consequences if the federal budget continues on its current course of significant cuts, according to Diakonie President Rüdiger Schuch, who stressed that such reductions could be a risk to democracy and unacceptable.
- Michael Groß, AWO-Federal Association President, strongly criticized the budget policy of the Finance Minister, warning that it poses a serious risk to the country's social infrastructure, and advocated for considering alternatives instead of cutting costs on people and their futures.
