Berlin politicians accused of pressuring official over anti-Semitism funds
Berlin (dpa/bb) – Dirk Stettner intends to remain leader of the CDU parliamentary group in Berlin's state legislature. "There will be no changes in the faction," a spokesperson for the group told the German Press Agency (dpa), citing Stettner. Accordingly, Christian Goiny is also expected to retain his role as the group's budget policy spokesperson.
Following the resignation of Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson (non-partisan) over the controversial allocation of funding for anti-Semitism prevention projects, the Left Party and the Greens had demanded further consequences and renewed their criticism of Stettner and Goiny.
Opposition Criticizes Stettner and Goiny
The two CDU politicians stand accused of improperly pressuring Wedl-Wilson to release the funds. Both have denied the allegations. Berlin's State Audit Office had deemed the €2.6 million in funding for 13 anti-Semitism prevention projects "clearly unlawful" in an audit report.
The office concluded that the culture department had violated the state budget code and other regulations in its handling and disbursement of certain grant applications. Stettner and Goiny had repeatedly contacted the department, urging swift approval of the funding requests.
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