Open letter
Governments, parliaments and courts must protect the freedom of civil society
On 24 February, the Bundestag administration published a small interpellation from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on the 'political neutrality of state-funded organisations'. Among the 17 organisations mentioned are partners of the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
The Robert Bosch Stiftung supports the statement issued by the Association of German Foundations on 27 February. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer Bernhard Straub, together with the (managing) directors of the Rudolf Augstein Foundation, the Schöpflin Foundation, and the Maecenata Foundation, addressed an open letter to the parliamentary group leaders of the CDU/CSU, Friedrich Merz and Alexander Dobrindt, on 28 February. In it, they describe the importance of civil society for a stable democracy, the existing right to political expression and the necessary differentiation of the different sources of funding for civil society organisations. At the same time, the representatives of the four foundations invite the CDU/CSU parliamentary group leaders to a dialogue on the necessary modernisation of the law governing non-profit organisations and the central role of civil society in a functioning democracy.
On the positive side, the recent debates indirectly reflect the importance of civil society for a liberal democracy. Organisations working for social cohesion, human rights or climate protection do valuable work, complementing or critically supporting government action.
It is important that civil society can continue to work reliably and across a broad spectrum - with clear framework conditions and bipartisan support. Government, parliaments and courts must protect its freedom. An open and objective debate is desirable. However, it cannot be in the interest of a liberal democracy to fundamentally question its work.
"Criticism of individual positions or working methods is legitimate. However, when civil society actors are generally labelled as 'one-sidedly political' or 'out of control', there is a risk of distorting their actual role."
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The attacks on civil society in the media and debates during the German federal election campaign, as well as the minor interpellation by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, are causing great uncertainty. A vibrant democracy benefits from independent organisations that work for the common good and make different perspectives visible. It also benefits from the citizens who support these organisations - and in Germany that means almost 30 million people.
