Incoming German Federal Government Presents Coalition Agreement

On 9 April, the coalition agreement of the incoming German federal government – formed by the CDU, CSU and SPD – was presented in Berlin. The agreement explicitly mentions both the autochthonous national minorities and ethnic groups in Germany as well as the German minorities abroad, affirming their continued support.

With regard to the national minorities in Germany, the document states:

“We are committed to the protection and promotion of the national minorities living in Germany.” (Page 85)

“We are committed to the special protection and targeted promotion of the nationally recognised minorities in Germany: the Danish minority, the Frisian ethnic group, the German Sinti and Roma, and the Sorbian people.” (Page 119)

A clear commitment is also made to the German minorities abroad:

“The cultural and historical heritage of the expellees, resettlers and late repatriates as well as the German minorities in Central and Eastern Europe and in the successor states of the Soviet Union is part of the shared German history. We will continue to support the German minorities in Central and Eastern Europe and the non-European successor states of the Soviet Union and will further expand the dialogue with the countries of origin in a spirit of trust.” (Pages 85–86)

Particular importance is attached to the German minority in Ukraine in the context of the Russian war of aggression:

“The support of the German minority in Ukraine is of particular importance due to the Russian war of aggression and Ukraine’s potential accession to the EU.” (Page 86)

Another important signal is the planned structural strengthening of the position of the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters Related to Ethnic German Resettlers and National Minorities:

“We will strengthen the role of the Commissioner for Repatriate and Minority Affairs and reunify the responsibilities for expellees, repatriates and late repatriates as well as German minorities within the Federal Ministry of the Interior.” (Page 86)

The FUEN welcomes the fact that the concerns of the autochthonous national minorities and ethnic groups in Germany as well as those of the German minorities abroad have been taken into account in the coalition agreement of the incoming federal government. This is an important signal of continuity and responsibility in German minority policy.

However, it is regrettable that the European dimension of minority policy – and with it the Minority SafePack Initiative (MSPI) – has not been mentioned in the coalition agreement. Many challenges faced by minorities do not stop at national borders and require European solutions.

One thing is clear: the FUEN will continue to actively pursue political dialogue with the German federal government under the new CDU/CSU-SPD coalition – in the interest of all autochthonous national minorities, nationalities and language communities in Europe.

Click HERE to download the coalition agreement (available only in German).