What will the cultural policy of the next federal government look like?

In the current issue of Politik & Kultur, the publication of the German Cultural Council, Managing Director Olaf Zimmermann and his deputy Gabriele Schulz clearly explain which aspects are important for culture in the upcoming federal government and which topics should have priority in a necessary “concise culture chapter” in the coalition agreement.

Among other things, specific requirements for the future framework conditions for the cultural sector are formulated for the cultural policy of the upcoming government coalition, for example with regard to labor and social law, tax law, copyright law and the cultural property protection law.

Furthermore, the entire "digital" sector and the need for stability in public cultural funding are addressed. A warning is issued against mandatory commitments in future cultural funding. The article identifies a potential point of contention within a CDU/CSU-SPD coalition: the contrast between the SPD's claim of "culture for all" and the rediscovered concept of a "dominant culture" (CDU/CSU).

In conclusion, it is noted:

Germany is a diverse society. All the more important, then, is cohesion in diversity; for this to succeed, cooperation between different social forces, a broader perspective, and tolerance are needed

The official statement continues:

 The upcoming coalition negotiations will show whether a new federal government can succeed in setting the course for cohesion in diversity and implementing it decisively. Afterwards, we expect not only fine words from Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his government, but also concrete cultural policy action

• Click here to read the article “After the election and before the Federal Government” by Olaf Zimmermann and Gabriele Schulz.
• Here you can read Olaf Zimmermann's commentary “Lastly? The importance of culture must not be lost”.