Protests in Wiesbaden: 250 students fight against university cuts!

Protests in Wiesbaden: 250 students fight against university cuts!

This day demonstrated around 250 students and employees in Wiesbaden against the announced cuts in the university area. The social support was strong, because the protesters were supported by the Union Education and Science (Gew) Hesse, ver.di Hessen and the State Asten Conference. This campaign took place on the occasion of a meeting of the Senate with Finance Minister Lorz and Minister of Science Gremmel, where the controversial university pact was discussed for the years 2026 to 2030. These plans not only ensure frustration with the students, but also great resentment among the employees of the universities.

Henrike Arnold from the GEW operating group Marburg critically commented on the cuts that could end up with many temporary positions. Sebastian Ehlers from the Hessian Landes-Asten conference warned of the negative effects for universities for applied sciences and art universities. The threat of mass layoffs of student assistants is particularly worrying, which could significantly impair the quality of science and research in the medium to long term.

claims for more financial means

The demand for an increase in the funds for the universities for creating permanent positions and a sustainable financial basis is getting louder. Dr. Corinna Müller from ver.di also pointed out the overload of the employees, which is already noticeable. The university pact is generally regarded as insecure for students and employees, since the targeted budget draft could lead to a deficit of an estimated one billion euros over the next six years, just as the Tagesschau reported.

This concern is also reflected in the protest actions, which take place at various universities, including the University of Kassel and the TU Darmstadt, under the motto "No Cuts". At a staff meeting in Kassel with around 600 employees, the frustration and uncertainty became significantly noticeable. The GEW speaks of 450 participants in the protests, which underlines the seriousness of the Situation.

long -term effects and demands of the opposition

The opposition has sharply criticized the state government's plans and describes it as a "savings university pact". They warn of long -term negative effects on the quality of teaching and research. Minister of Science Timon Gremmels confirmed the need for the cuts due to returning tax revenue and spoke of a worst-case scenario that tried to avoid. According to his ministry, personnel costs will increase by 60 million euros annually by 2026, while the budgets for the years 2026 and 2027 should be below the level of 2025

The demand for fundamental changes in university financing is also supported by an open letter from the staff councils, which has already been signed by numerous representatives of several universities and the state aste conference and in which the need for adequate basic financing is required. The university presidium itself warn of the consequences of the intended cuts and demand improvements to remedy structural underfunding.