Neustrelitz: AfD starts push for more participation in the alliance!

Neustrelitz: AfD starts push for more participation in the alliance!

In Neustrelitz, the city council meeting on Thursday caused a stir. At first the meeting went quickly until a motion from the AfD parliamentary group came to the floor. The AfD demands that both the main committee and the mayor have a say in the composition of the advisory board for the well-known federal program “Living Democracy!” should receive. This program, which has been active since 2015, supports countless projects promoting democracy, tolerance and diversity.

Another crucial detail was the decision to rename the advisory board “Alliance” in the future. When asked, it became clear that city representatives were no longer allowed to sit in the alliance unless they represented civil society organizations. Members of the alliance could include schools, social institutions or senior and youth advisory councils. Mayor Andreas Grund and the equal opportunities officer each have one vote, while two office heads cast their votes together.

Controversies surrounding new regulations

The discussion surrounding the AfD's application was not without tension. Ernst-August von der Wense, a lawyer for the city administration, made it clear that the mayor had to object to the proposal because the new rules had been set by the federal government. The AfD parliamentary group criticizes the new form of committee as undemocratic, especially since funding also flows from city funds. Mayor Grund was dissatisfied with the regulation because, according to the local constitution, the city council is obliged to appoint members to honorary positions. This clashes with the new federal regulations, which aim to promote civil society participation beyond political parties.

During the meeting, Mayor Max Odebrecht asked relevant questions about the composition of the alliance. Thies Bussert from the AfD emphasized that the issue was not about the city representatives themselves, but about the order and selection of the members. Andreas Petter from CDU/FDP also raised questions about determining the actors in the alliance. The mayor informed that the administration has been dealing with these issues since January, which indicates ongoing uncertainty.

The federal program “Living Democracy!”

The “Living Democracy!” program is the largest funding program of its kind in Europe with a budget of 182 million euros in the 2023 federal budget. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and aims to strengthen democracy and take action against online hate and conspiracy theories. On March 3, 2023, 100 new projects were launched nationwide that deal with these topics in order to strengthen social cohesion. Up to 100,000 euros per year are available for each project, which illustrates the dimensions of this initiative.

In another part of the republic, events such as the inclusive sports festival “Place for Diversity” are setting an example for integration and accessibility. The festival is organized together with SV Günding and the Dachau District Youth Association to promote uncategorized cooperation between children and young people and to break down barriers. Such initiatives are proof of the commitment of civil society actors who are committed to harmonious coexistence.

It remains to be seen whether the AfD will succeed with its application or whether the new regulations will last in the long term. What is clear, however, is that the dialogue about the “alliance” and the role of city representatives in Neustrelitz will continue to be on the political agenda.