Germany cuts funding for Radikale Töchter after founder slams Chancellor Merz
The German federal government has withdrawn funding from the Radikale Töchter project under unclear circumstances. The decision, announced in January 2026, followed months of controversy after the organisation's founder criticised Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Despite meeting all requirements, the project lost €287,472 in approved grants for 2025–2026 without a detailed explanation from the Interior Ministry. The Radikale Töchter initiative had secured funding through the Zusammenhalt durch Teilhabe programme after a positive evaluation by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb). The project, titled Mut-Muskel-Training, was set to receive nearly €300,000 for its work over two years. However, in October 2025, founder Cesy Leonard launched a public petition accusing Merz of racism and using rhetoric reminiscent of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.
Weeks later, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer's successor, Alexander Dobrindt, reversed the funding decision. On 5 January 2026, the ministry issued a directive blocking the payment, citing its right to set priorities—without providing further justification. The move drew sharp criticism from opposition politicians, including Konstantin von Notz of the Green Party, who warned against any appearance of political interference in grant allocations. The Interior Ministry later clarified that grant recipients were free to express political opinions. Yet the withdrawal remained in place, with no other cases of similar funding cuts reported. Sonja Eichwede, deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group, called the removal of individual projects from the programme 'puzzling' in light of the lack of transparency.
The Radikale Töchter project now faces a funding gap of almost €300,000. The Interior Ministry's decision stands, though no specific policy violation was cited. Observers note that the timing—following Leonard's protest and Merz's criticism of migration as an 'urban problem'—has raised questions about the government's grant review process.
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