Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz has ignited controversy by proposing cuts to funding for inclusion and participation programs for people with disabilities, leading to significant backlash from various organizations and the public.

In response to these proposed cuts, a petition titled 'Friedrich Merz, don't cut participation! #ParticipationIsNotALuxury' has garnered over 170,000 signatures, advocating for the protection of integration assistance as a fundamental human right.

During a congress of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, Merz labeled expenditures on youth and integration assistance as 'no longer acceptable,' a statement that has drawn sharp criticism.

Michaela Engelmeier, president of the Social Association of Germany (SoVD), pointed out that Germany received a failing grade from the UN regarding the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting the country's poor performance in this area.

Critics have raised concerns that while the government contemplates cuts to inclusion funding, it simultaneously allocates billions for military investments, questioning the government's priorities.

Despite a reported budget deficit of 25 billion euros, Merz insists that Germany will remain a welfare state, although he believes that the annual increases in youth and integration funding, which have reached up to ten percent, are unsustainable.

The SoVD has denounced the proposed cuts, advocating for increased investment in accessibility and inclusion, especially in light of Germany's poor evaluation from the UN regarding disability rights compliance.

Engelmeier criticized Merz's plans as a 'slap in the face' for disabled individuals and called for more investment in accessibility and inclusion.

In addition to the funding cuts, the Merz government is planning changes to facilitate access to banking services for individuals with disabilities and amendments to the severe disability pass.

Burkhard Jung, president of the German Association of Cities, highlighted a significant financial gap of approximately 25 billion euros in municipal budgets, which has contributed to the proposed cuts.

Petitioners argue that participation is a human right and criticize the government for prioritizing military investments over efforts to support inclusion.

Engelmeier emphasized that many other countries are performing significantly better in terms of disability rights and urged the Merz administration to improve conditions for people with disabilities.