German Conservatives Scrutinize State Funding for NGOs Amidst Migration Policy Protests

Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) are facing scrutiny after proposing stricter migration policies with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), sparking widespread protests. These demonstrations, organized by various NGOs, have prompted the CDU to question state funding for these organizations. The CDU/CSU finance expert, Mathias Middelberg, announced a critical review of federal support programs, potentially leading to funding cuts. A parliamentary request for information has been submitted, targeting 17 NGOs and raising concerns about their political neutrality. Experts are divided on whether these NGOs violated their charitable status by protesting against the CDU. Critics argue that the protests were politically motivated, while others maintain that organizations have the right to support democratic principles. This debate is also straining relations between the CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD).