DSW: Election Call

Collective call for elections:

• German Rectors' Conference, HRK
• Free Association of Student Unions, fzs
• German Student Union, DSW

Berlin/Bonn, 6.2.2025

“When it comes to promoting research, teaching, innovation and study conditions, it also depends on the federal government” – Calls for participation in the Bundestag elections

The German Rectors' Conference (HRK), the German Student Union (DSW) and the German Free Association of Student Organizations (fzs) welcome the package of demands made by the science ministers of the federal states to the future federal government. Increased cooperation between the federal and state governments and a greater financial commitment from the federal government in the new legislature are indispensable for the promotion of science, universities and social study infrastructures.

The position paper of the Conference of Science Ministers underlines the central demands of the HRK, DSW and fzs for a future-proof German higher education system, better study conditions and greater educational equality. Education and research policy must play a key role in the actions of the new federal government – also in order to secure economic prosperity, social cohesion and liberal democracy. The parties currently in the election campaign with aspirations and prospects of government responsibility are setting different priorities here.

The HRK, DSW and fzs are jointly calling on all university members - employees in research, teaching, technology and administration as well as students – to exercise their right to vote on February 23.

HRK President Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal: “In their position paper on the science, research and innovation agenda, the science ministers of the federal states have included and reaffirmed key demands made by the HRK to the incoming federal government. The federal government also has a role to play in promoting research, teaching, innovation and social study conditions. Targeted investment in university buildings and infrastructure, reliable funding for basic and application-oriented research, the continuation of the “Zukunfts­Vertrag” (“Zukunfts­Vertrag”) to strengthen studies and teaching, the reduction of bureaucracy and a reorientation of BAföG – all of this is essential in order to maintain and strengthen Germany's future viability as a location for science and innovation. As pillars of democracy and the rule of law, universities and science require reliable framework conditions that safeguard their autonomy and academic freedom. Only in this way can universities be places of free discourse in research and teaching in order to develop and apply science-based answers to the major questions and social challenges of our time.”

Prof. Dr. Beate Schücking, President of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk: “It is good and important that the science ministers of the federal states are keeping an eye on the social situation of students and the social infrastructure. Excessively high rents, inflation and rising food prices are a burden on students. BAföG is too low and reaches too few. Affordable housing is in short supply. The science ministers are rightly calling for adequate BAföG at the level of basic income support, together with a permanent continuation and significant increase in the federal-state program 'Young Housing' – that's a good thing! And a future federal-state special program for the renovation of university buildings must also take into account the dining halls and cafeterias; we have a need for renovation of at least four billion euros here.”

Lisa Iden, fzs board member: “The nationwide student representation supports the science ministers' demands for significant investment in university construction, adequate student funding including a genuine BAföG reform and improved working conditions at universities. According to the Federal Statistical Office, student poverty has risen dramatically compared to previous years. As a result, young people are deciding not to study or are having to drop out because they cannot afford it. The importance of good study and training conditions for young people for society as a whole has been underestimated to date: good education is also essential for ensuring social cohesion and democratic development.”

This call online